The British Empire took hundreds of years to expand into North America, Australia, New Zealand, Asia, Africa, and parts of Central and South America—and often more than one attempt to successfully settle colonies there. Such was the case with England’s first expedition to colonize the New World.
It all started in April 1584 when Sir Walter Raleigh, commissioned by Queen Elizabeth I, organized a reconnaissance expedition to America to identify the best areas for England to establish colonies. He determined Roanoke Island, in what is now North Carolina, would be the most favorable location for the country’s first New World colony.
In April 1585, after being knighted by the queen, Sir Walter Raleigh ordered seven English vessels with 600 soldiers and sailors to sail under the command of Sir Richard Grenville from England to the Outer Banks of North Carolina. They arrived at Roanoke Island in August 1585.
Unfortunately, England’s first official attempt to settle in the New World didn’t go well. Grenville’s fleet encountered a storm in the Atlantic that damaged several ships and destroyed one, forcing a stop in Puerto Rico for repairs. This delayed their arrival at Roanoke Island to June 26, 1585, and cost the group valuable time to prep for winter.
On top of that, a ship called the Tiger that was carrying a majority of the colonists’ food supplies was too large to enter the sound surrounding Roanoke Island, so it had to anchor off the Atlantic Coast. This exposed the Tiger and its valuables to rough seas and inclement weather, which heavily damaged the ship and destroyed a majority of the food on board.
With only 100 men left on the island to fend off Native American attacks and construct temporary shelters, Grenville and Ralph Lane—an Irishman who had been appointed governor of the new colony—decided to sail back to England and return the following year with more colonists and supplies.
They left for England June 19, 1586, on a ship captained by Sir Francis Drake—438 years ago this week.
The 1585-86 expedition preceded the ill-fated July 22, 1587 voyage—also organized by Raleigh. This expedition, led by John White, brought 117 English men, women, and children to Roanoke Island to establish a permanent settlement. Sadly, when English ships returned with supplies three years later in 1590, the colonists had vanished and the settlement was deserted.
The Story Lives On
One of North Carolina’s most popular coastal attractions is The Lost Colony, a historical drama based on Sir Walter Raleigh’s attempts to establish a permanent settlement on Roanoke Island. This celebrated play runs June through August and has been performed annually in Waterside Theatre since 1937. If you’re planning a trip to OBX, add this to your must-do list.
Fun fact: Andy Griffith performed in The Lost Colony from 1947–1953, and renowned actor Ira David Wood III of Raleigh previously directed the play. Wood, who is actress Evan Rachel Wood’s father, was also a part of the production when Andy Griffith acted in it. Check out this podcast during which Wood talks about his experiences with Griffith—including playing beach volleyball with him in Manteo during their summers there.
The First British Colony
Some historians believe Ireland was the first colony in the British Empire, based on England’s invasion of Ireland in 1169. But most historians recognize the Jamestown Colony founded in Virginia in 1607 as the first permanent English settlement. This Backroad Portfolio post offers information about what it’s like to visit Jamestown today.
I find it rather pleasing that even as far back as the 1580s, our neighbors across the pond realized the South was America’s best place to live. As far as I’m concerned, it always will be.
Thanks for reading my latest installment of This Week in History. Next up: June 23–29. If you have an historic event or date range you’d like me to focus on, send me an email at epshugg@gmail.com.
Nice to learn about the real first colony in America. Hearing more about Ira David Wood in yet another important accomplishment is exciting. I feel honored to have seen him last Christmas in his famous role as Scrooge!