Contents
Introduction
Imagine a bustling colonial town filled with pirates, thieves, and reprobates, known as the “Sodom of the Universe.” This was Port Royal, Jamaica, a haven for the likes of Blackbeard, Calico Jack, and Captain Henry Morgan. However, this notorious city met its cataclysmic end on June 7, 1692, when an unforgiving earthquake struck. Let’s delve into the captivating story of the Port Royal Earthquake and the subsequent sinking of this infamous pirate city.
17th century Dutch illustrator Jan Luyken’s engraving of the Port Royal earthquake.
Port Royal, Jamaica
Located on a natural deep harbor, Port Royal thrived as one of the busiest ports in the Americas during the 17th century. Ships carrying both legal and contraband trade flocked to this English colonial town, outnumbering ships at other major ports. With a reputation as a profitable colony, Port Royal’s prosperity was fueled by piracy. Notorious pirates plundered Spanish ships and brought back their spoils, making this wicked city an epicenter of fortune.
On that fateful morning of June 7, 1692, Reverend Emmanuel Heath, who was not yet accustomed to the climate and inhabitants of Port Royal, finished his prayers at St. Paul’s Church. He walked to a nearby tavern to meet John White, the island’s council president. As they conversed, an earthquake of magnitude 7.5 struck, with Port Royal at its epicenter.
Oliver Cox’s 1984 rendition of some of the Port Royal buildings buried beneath the sea.
The Calamity Unfolds
Port Royal, built on sand rather than bedrock, proved to be vulnerable as 33 acres of land vanished into the sea within seconds. Buildings collapsed, the graveyard flooded the streets with floating bones, and the earth swallowed both people and their homes. Amid the chaos, Reverend Heath fearlessly navigated the collapsing streets, desperately trying to reach his home. Miraculously, both he and John White survived the catastrophe, but an estimated 2,000 lives were lost during and after the earthquake due to disease, injuries, and vandals.
The Aftermath
Although Port Royal continued to serve as a British Navy base, its commercial prominence in Jamaica gave way to Kingston. A devastating fire in 1703 and a subsequent hurricane sealed the fate of this once-thriving city. A century later, less than 100 homes remained, while the town’s population had dwindled from over 6,000 to almost nothing.
Tombstone of Lewis Galdy, a survivor of the Port Royal earthquake.
Beneath the Waves
The sunken remains of Port Royal lie beneath 40 feet of water, attracting explorers and sightseers. Visitors as late as the 19th century reported an eerie sensation of floating over the tops of homes and tombs. In 1969, explorer Edwin Link discovered a pocket watch at the site, frozen in time at 11:43, aligning with contemporary reports.
Archaeological expeditions began in 1981, led by the Nautical Archaeology Program at Texas A&M University and the Jamaica National Heritage Trust. These ventures unearthed a trove of artifacts, revealing the city frozen in time. Today, the site remains largely untouched, allowing us to envision the once-vibrant life of Port Royal.
The Tale of Lewis Galdy
One exceptional survivor of the Port Royal Earthquake was Lewis Galdy. Though initially swallowed by the earth, a subsequent tremor propelled him into the safety of the sea. Galdy remained in Port Royal, continuing his merchant activities and even pursuing pirates off the coast of Jamaica at the behest of the governor. He dedicated his later years to public service, overseeing the construction of St. Peter’s Church in 1726.
Glass pottery, tortoise shell, and other artifacts recovered from Port Royal.
Conclusion
The Port Royal Earthquake of 1692 marked the demise of a pirate stronghold and a city known for its wild and wicked reputation. Today, the remains of Port Royal lie beneath the Caribbean waves, a reminder of the rich history and tragic fate of this once-thriving colonial town. As we explore the artifacts and stories of this sunken pirate city, we can’t help but marvel at the tales that still echo through time.
This article appeared in the Glassing Magazine March/April 2018 issue.
