Privateers

Privateers were men who were commissioned by the government that they served to go out and raid a rival nation's supply ships. Privateering was a very noble act, because you were helping the cause of your nation. Many privateers started out as pirates. Pirates were independent sailors, who were out to attack any ship that they could. Many of these former pirates became privateers as a way to get their lives back on track. The privateering role can be seen in all major American conflicts. During the Colonization Period privateers went around raiding supply ships to discourage countries from settling in the new lands. Privateers were also common during the American Revolution, War of 1812, and Civil War. These privateers were not only raiding supply ships, but trying to sink naval ships, as well as ships that were carrying soldiers. British privateers like Henry Morgan and Sir Francis Drake are most likely the most well known privateers. These men helped to gain lands for the British, and protect the British people from the Spanish navy, during the Colonial Period. Privateers were essential to making this country what it is today.

The CSS Savannah was probably the most famous privateering vessel during the Civil War.

Above is a picture of British privateer Henry Morgan.

Above is a picture of British privateer Sir Francis Drake.

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The Roanoke Colony

The Roanoke Colony was Britain's first attempt to start a colony in the New World. The mission was funded by Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Walter Raleigh. They had the blessing from Queen Elizabeth I. Both Gilbert and Raleigh had made trial runs to start colonies in Ireland. They had had mixed results. The initial goal of this colony was to set up a British raiding port, so that they could attack Spanish ships. It became much more then this however. The first voyage to Roanoke occurred in 1584. It was more of a fact finding mission. Gilbert and Raleigh wanted to see what was there. When they got to Roanoke they encountered the Seacotans and the Croatoan Indians. This first mission was led by Sir Richard Grenville. Grenville was a privateer who had executed numerous raids on Spanish ships. Grenville and his men went missing after they tried to explore the interior of the new land. When the remaining men from the first voyage returned they brought an Indian from each tribe back with them. These Indians told Raleigh all about the geography of Roanoke. After hearing this Raleigh then decided to send another group of colonists to the island. In 1587, 115 British colonists led by John White departed for Roanoke. Their goal was to set up an actual government, and also to find Richard Grenville and his men. They were unsuccessful at both. When they reached the island, their ship ran aground, damaging their supplies. White was forced to sail back to England for supplies. He was unable to return to England for three years, due to the Spanish Armada. When White finally was able to return to Roanoke he found no trace of the 115 settlers. The only clue he found was the word "Croatoan" carved into a tree. The fort had been dismantled, but there seemed to be no sign of a struggle. White and his men attempted to search for the missing colonists, but had to abandon their efforts when a storm came up. They sailed back to England, and the colonists were never heard from again, many historians believe they were captured and forced to live with the Croatoan Indians. The Roanoke Colony was a failed colonization attempt for the British. Roanoke will forever be known as the lost colony.

Above is a map of the Roanoke Colony, drawn by John White.

This is what the fort at Roanoke would most likely have looked like.

Above is a picture of Sir Walter Raleigh.

Above is a picture of Sir Humphrey Gilbert.

Above is a picture of what the fort at Roanoke looks like today.

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Ponce de Leon

I want to say sorry for the delay between posts. School has started back up and I have been swamped with homework and studying. I will try my best to post more often.

Ponce de Leon was born in Spain in 1474. Not much is known about his childhood. After Christopher Columbus' voyage to the New World, the Spanish king was interested in sending more men to Spain. Ponce had served in a war, and when that war ended, he wanted to go seek out new opportunities. This led Ponce to become a explorer, or conquistador. His first expedition led him to Hispaniola where he and his men engaged in many wars with the natives. The Spanish men were able to defeat the Taino Indians. As a result of his fighting de Leon was awarded a land grant. He started a farm and grew produce and raised livestock. He also used the Taino Indians to help him on his farm. In 1508 Ferdinand and Isabella of Spain ordered Ponce to capture all the Taino Indians and force them to work in the mines. De Leon later became the provincial governor of Puerto Rico. He consulted with the Taino Indians on many occasions in order to get a better idea of what crops could be grown in these new lands. He also wanted to learn some of the Tainos' farming techniques. Ponce was trying very hard to settle down as a farmer, but his interest in exploration was still there. The Taino Indians had told Ponce of riches in uncharted lands. Ponce was determined to find these lands, as well as the riches that went with them. De Leon made two voyages to try and find this new land. Ponce de Leon was most likely the first explorer to discover what is now the United States. He landed on the coast of what is now Florida, and he actually gave Florida its name. Some people believe that de Leon was searching for the Fountain of Youth, and just found Florida instead. This is nothing more then legend however. His first expedition to Florida was nothing more then a fact finding mission. It was on his second expedition that he was ready to conquer the land. He took two hundred men, fifty horses, and other domesticated animals and farm tools with him. When he and his men got off the ship they were immediately attacked by Calusa braves. De Leon was injured when he was hit with an arrow that was poisoned with the sap of a Manchineel tree. He and his men fled back to Havana, Cuba where Ponce passed away. His desire for glory and riches proved fatal to him.

Above is the tomb of Ponce de Leon in the Cathedral of San Juan Bautista, Cuba.

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