Final answer:
The Roanoke Island Colony was a disaster due to the unexpected disappearance of its entire population during the governor's absence. Upon his return, the governor found the word 'Croatoan' as the only clue to what might have happened. The fate of the colonists remains a historical mystery.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Roanoke Island Colony, often referred to as the 'Lost Colony,' was a disaster primarily due to its sudden and unexplained disappearance. In 1587, an expedition led by John White established a small colony on Roanoke Island, off the coast of modern-day North Carolina. The colony consisted of approximately 117 settlers who initially struggled to thrive in their new environment.
The disaster began to unravel when John White returned to England late in 1587 to secure more supplies and settlers. His return to Roanoke was delayed by the Spanish Armada's arrival in 1588, and when he finally returned in 1590, the entire island was deserted. The mystery deepened with the discovery of the word 'Croatoan' carved into a nearby post, the only clue left behind by the settlers. It remains unclear whether the settlers moved to nearby Croatoan Island (now Hatteras) or encountered an unforeseen disaster that resulted in their disappearance.
Current theories speculate that the colonists may have intermarried with local Native American tribes or were killed by them. Other hypotheses suggest they may have died from starvation or disease. However, without solid archaeological evidence, the precise reason for the Roanoke disaster remains a historical mystery.
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