Answer:
In 1607 the English sailed “so far up as a bark of fifty tuns will float” and chose to settle on a peninsula that was almost an island. A slender neck of land on the northwest corner allowed access to the mainland, but could be defended easily against the Native Americans.
Step-by-step explanation:
The settlers hoped to repeat the success of Spaniards who found gold in South America. In 1607, 144 English men and boys established the Jamestown colony, named after King James I. The colonists were told that if they did not generate any wealth, financial support for their efforts would end. One advantage of Jamestown was that its location was far enough up the James River that it was easily defended from attack from Spanish ships. The location of the settlement lacked a consistent supply of fresh water, being in the tidal region of the James River.