Port Royal is a village located at the end of the Palisadoes, at the mouth of Kingston Harbour, in southeastern Jamaica. In the year 1494, the Spanish found the city. Port Royal Jamaica was the largest city in the Caribbean at that time. In the 17th century, Port Royal Jamaica was the centre of shipping and commerce in the Caribbean Sea. In this article, we are going to know about the real city of pirates.
Introduction to Port Royal Jamaica
Port Royal Jamaica is a small town located at the end of the Palisadoes strip, on the southeastern coast of Jamaica. In the late 17th century, Port Royal Jamaica was one of the wealthiest and most important cities in the British Empire. It was also known as the "Wickedest City in the World" due to its reputation for lawlessness and debauchery.
Port Royal's importance came from its strategic location at the mouth of Kingston Harbour. This harbour is made a hub for trade and shipping. The city also served as a base for pirates and privateers. These pirates and privateers were protected by British authorities. In exchange for their services in defending Jamaica against the Spanish.
In 1692, Port Royal Jamaica was devastated by a massive earthquake and subsequent tsunami. This natural disaster sank much of the city and killed thousands of its inhabitants. The disaster marked the beginning of the decline of Port Royal's importance and power. But it remains an important part of Port Royal Jamiaca's history and heritage.
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Port Royal's Role as a Haven for Pirates
Port Royal Jamaica was a significant haven for pirates during the 17th century. The city's location on the south coast of Jamaica made it an ideal spot for pirates to restock their supplies, repair their ships, and plan their next attacks on passing ships.
Port Royal's importance to piracy was solidified in the late 1650s when the British captured the island of Jamaica from the Spanish. With British rule, Jamaica became the bustling hub for trade, and Port Royal became the primary port of call for ships trading goods between Europe, Africa, and the Americas.
These trades provided pirates with a steady stream of potential targets for looting and plundering. Many pirates were also able to blend into the city's population, living openly as they spent their wealth on rum, women, and gambling.
The city's reputation as a haven for pirates continued to grow, with the local authorities often turning a blind eye to their activities as long as they shared their spoils. This lawlessness eventually led to the destruction of Port Royal in 1692. A massive earthquake followed by a tsunami devastated the city.
Despite its destruction, Port Royal remains a fascinating historical site, and its role as a pirate haven has become a popular subject in books and movies, making it a significant part of the legacy of piracy in the Caribbean.
Notable Pirates Who Operated in Port Royal
Port Royal Jamaica was a popular haunt for many notable and notorious pirates. They made a name for themselves in the Caribbean during the 17th century. One of the most infamous pirates was Henry Morgan, who became the Governor of Jamaica after leading successful raids against Spanish territories in the region.
Some other notable pirates who operated out of Port Royal included Edward Teach, better known as Blackbeard, and Christopher Myngs, who served as the first governor of the city. Anne Bonny and Mary Read, are two of the most well-known female pirates in history. They also frequented Port Royal Jamaica and were even captured and tried for piracy there.
In addition to these well-known pirates, many other less famous but still successful buccaneers operated out of Port Royal, making it a hub for piracy and a hotbed of criminal activity during the Golden Age of Piracy.
Port Royal's Notorious Reputation
Port Royal Jamaica's notorious reputation as a hub of piracy, gambling, and debauchery during the 17th century was well deserved. The city was a magnet for pirates, smugglers, and other criminals, drawn to its lawless atmosphere and opportunities for wealth and adventure.
The city was also known for its raucous taverns and brothels, which catered to the rough and rowdy pirate population. Gambling was also a popular pastime, with numerous gaming houses offering opportunities to win or lose fortunes.
Despite being a British colony, Port Royal was effectively run by pirates, who controlled much of the city's a trade and political power. The authorities turned a blind eye to their activities in exchange for a share of the loot, and corruption was rampant throughout the city.
Port Royal's reputation eventually led to its downfall when a massive earthquake struck in 1692, causing much of the city to sink into the sea. However, its legacy as a notorious centre of piracy and debauchery has continued to capture the imagination of people around the world.
Nature's Wrath on Port Royal Jamaica
June 7, 1692, Port Royal Jamaica's church rector was running late for a lunch appointment. But his friend requested him to delay just for some more time. This small choice saved his life. The ground of Port Royal in Jamaica began to roll and rumble. But the friend waved off the rector's alarm.
Generally, earthquakes on this island pass quickly. But this quake was not like the other earthquakes. The quake's intensity increased and the two men soon heard the church tower collapse into rubble. The church rector sprinted outside, racing for open ground. He described that the land split open, swallowing crowds of people and homes in one gulp and then sealing closed.
The mountains began to crumble, the sky became red and the waters from the geyser began to explode from the seams ripped in the earth. The seawater swelled the entire town. The church rector described the disaster in a letter, "Within three minutes, Port Royal Jamaica, the finest town of all the English plantations, the best emporium and mart of that part of the world, was shaken and shattered into pieces."
The earthquake was followed by a tsunami, which scientists believe measured 7.5 on the Ritcher scale, making it a major event. By the time the catastrophe ended, most of Port Royal, including the cemetery where Henry Morgan (famous Caribbean pirate and Lieutenant General of Jamaica) was buried, lay beneath the watery depths. Nearly, 2,000 people were killed immediately, and thousands more died soon after. People thought that because of its licentious reputation, the Port Royal disaster is its Judgment Day.
Submerged City
Covered by slits and 20 to 40 feet of murky water, the sunken town remained untouched for over 300 years until marine archaeologists began to bring artefacts to the surface world. These artefacts helped to reveal the truth behind the wicked legends.
In 1956, the first exploration took place when amateur archaeologist Edwin Link and his wife & research partner, Marion visited the location. They pulled up a cannon from the fort but concluded that more equipment would be needed to plumb the muddy bottom and artefacts beneath it.
They both returned in 1959 with the Sea Diver and found objects that are uncovered and breakable objects a long time ago. The archaeologist couple mentioned that unlike other cities on land that change with the years. This one remained the same as it had been more than two and half centuries before sealed by the seas in an instant earthquake.
Scientists called these types of sites "catastrophic sites" where a sudden disaster preserves artefacts and the context of life around them. Starting from pewter tableware to Chinese porcelain, there were many signs of personal wealth in the submerged site.
There were many household items of that period and elegant items like a wrought-iron swivel gun. Many bottles and pipes were found that gave the impression that people in old Port Royal in Jamaica did spend most of their time drinking and smoking.
