Port
Royal was a city located at the end of the Palisadoes at the mouth of
the Kingston Harbour, in southeastern Jamaica. Founded in 1518, it was
the centre of shipping commerce in the Caribbean Sea during the latter
half of the 17th century. It was destroyed by an earthquake in 1692 and a
subsequent tsunami, and fires. Severe hurricanes have regularly damaged
it. Another severe earthquake occurred in 1907.
Port Royal was
once home to privateers employed to nip at superpower Habsburg Spain's
empire when smaller European powers dared not directly make war on
Spain. As a port city, it was notorious for its gaudy displays of wealth
and loose morals. It was a popular homeport for the English and Dutch
sponsored privateers to spend their treasure during the 17th century.
When those governments abandoned the practice of issuing letters of
marque to privateers against the Spanish treasure fleets and possessions
in the later 16th century, many of the crews
turned pirate and used the city as their main base during the 17th
century. Pirates from around the world congregated at Port Royal, coming
from waters as far away as Madagascar.
After the 1692
disaster, Port Royal's commercial role was steadily taken over by the
town (and later, city) of Kingston. Current plans for Port Royal will
redevelop the small fishing town into a tourist destination serviced by
cruise ships. It is going to capitalize on its heritage, with
archaeological findings at the heart of the attractions.(Source:
Wikipedia)
Image from a Tobacco Card
E. & W. ANSTIE, Tobacco Cigarettes
Cir 1905
AC Collection
Port Royal was once home to privateers employed to nip at superpower Habsburg Spain's empire when smaller European powers dared not directly make war on Spain. As a port city, it was notorious for its gaudy displays of wealth and loose morals. It was a popular homeport for the English and Dutch sponsored privateers to spend their treasure during the 17th century. When those governments abandoned the practice of issuing letters of marque to privateers against the Spanish treasure fleets and possessions in the later 16th century, many of the crews turned pirate and used the city as their main base during the 17th century. Pirates from around the world congregated at Port Royal, coming from waters as far away as Madagascar.
After the 1692 disaster, Port Royal's commercial role was steadily taken over by the town (and later, city) of Kingston. Current plans for Port Royal will redevelop the small fishing town into a tourist destination serviced by cruise ships. It is going to capitalize on its heritage, with archaeological findings at the heart of the attractions.(Source: Wikipedia)
Image from a Tobacco Card
E. & W. ANSTIE, Tobacco Cigarettes
Cir 1905
AC Collection
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