On this day in 1587, Governor John White and a small group of colonists landed on Roanoke Island on their way to establish a colony in Chesapeake Bay. In a borderline act of mutiny, flagship pilot Simon Fernandes, refused to go any further, resulting in White’s return to England to resupply. Because of a war with Spain, White was unable to return until 1590, finding no trace of the colonists. The word “Croatoan” carved into a post and the letters “Cro” carved into a tree were the only clues left behind.
