*[Um 10 Uhr have ich einen Termin.]
In the year 1586, the colonists on Roanoke Island faced several problems. One was food, two was the Indians, three was the Spanish. Spain regarded the Atlantic coast of North America as her possession, which had been confirmed by the Pope. The Spanish were fully aware of the English settlement. Even before the English ships had left England, the Spanish King was aware. They received more information from their own observations and the reports of the Indians. In 1586, the Spanish sent a ship north from St. Augustine to ferret out the English and wipe them out. Still, food for the English was more of a problem. They had lost supplies when their flagship ran aground. They were not farmers, nor had they mastered the art of fishing. They depended upon the Indians, who were not cooperative. The English were bringing some copper (this was prized by the Indians) but the ship was delayed. The time between spring and the early summer was especially hard on the colonists.
When some Indians left Roanoke Island the English attacked and killed them. This hardly endured the English to the Indians, especially at a time when the English desperately needed the Indians.
On June 8, lookouts spotted a fleet of more than two dozen vessels. Though their identity was uncertain at first, they turned out to be led by Sir Francis Drake. He brought some supplies, in part obtained by a raid on Spanish colony of St. Augustine. Drake was giving the colonists a smaller ship suitable for the ocean and the inland waterways. This was being loaded with supplies when a hurricane struck. Many smaller vessels were lost and the ship that Drake had given the colonists returned to England with many of the supplies for the colonists. The colonist became very discouraged after what seemed like a promising relief and renewal of their efforts. Gov. Lane asked Drake to take the colonists back to England. During the hurried departure, many artifacts were lost because of the continuing tempest.
On the way home, their path crossed, unbeknownst to both parties, with the relief ship that they were expecting in early spring.
The failure of the colony cannot be blamed on the “German mineral men”. Had there been friendlier relationships with the Indians, which might have allowed the colonists access to the west, they might have found the gold which was there.
The English, remaining convinced there was gold, kept their interest in Virginia alive and perhaps prevented the future language along the Atlantic coast from being Spanish.
*[I have an appointment at 10 a.m.]
(19 Jan 07)
We gratefully acknowledge the work of John Blankenbaker who published over 2,500 Germanna History Notes via the Germanna-L@rootsweb.com email list from 1997 to 2008. We are equally thankful to George Durman (Sgt. George) for hosting the list and republishing the notes via rootsweb.com.