More of Roanoke Island Nine days after White’s granddaughter was born he returned to England Needed supplies He hoped to return within a few months The war with Spain delayed his return for nearly 3 years When he returned, he found Roanoke deserted Found the word Croatoan carved on a gatepost White believed they had gone to Croatoan Island, about 50 miles to the south Bad weather kept White from investigating The Roanoke colonists were never seen again