Nature’s revenge on the ‘most wicked and sinful city in the world.’
If you are fascinated by pirates, treasure, and history, you might want to learn more about the sunken pirate city at Port Royal, Jamaica. This was once the most notorious and prosperous pirate haven in the Caribbean, until a devastating earthquake and tsunami in 1692 submerged most of it underwater. Let’s explore the rise and fall of Port Royal, and how underwater archaeologists are uncovering its secrets today.
Port Royal was originally inhabited by the Taino Indians, who used it as a fishing camp. The Spanish colonizers named it Cayo de Carena, meaning Careening Cay, because it was a convenient place to repair and clean their ships. However, they did not establish a permanent settlement there, preferring to focus on other parts of Jamaica.
In 1655, the English invaded Jamaica and captured Port Royal from the Spanish. They soon realized its strategic value as a naval base and a trading port. They also encouraged privateers, or legal pirates, to use Port Royal as their home base. These privateers raided Spanish ships and colonies, and brought back immense wealth to Port Royal. They also attracted merchants, craftsmen, tavern owners, and sex workers, who catered to their needs and desires.
By the late 17th century, Port Royal had become one of the largest and richest cities in the New World. It was also known as “the wickedest city on Earth”, because of its rampant corruption, debauchery, and violence. Some of the most famous pirates of the era, such as Henry Morgan, Jack Rackham, and Anne Bonny, frequented Port Royal. The city was also a center of culture, commerce, and science, hosting the first printing press, newspaper, and hospital in the Caribbean.
However, Port Royal’s glory was short-lived. On June 7th, 1692, a massive earthquake estimated at 7.5 magnitude struck Jamaica. The sandy soil of Port Royal liquefied, causing buildings, roads, and people to sink into the ground. Geysers erupted from the earth, fires broke out, and tsunami waves swept over the city. In a matter of minutes, two thirds of Port Royal disappeared into the sea, along with thousands of lives and countless treasures.
Here’s a backward animation by Discovery Canada showing how the city was submerged (or drained, in this case) by the tsunami.
The survivors tried to rebuild Port Royal, but it never regained its former splendor. A series of hurricanes, fires, and plagues further damaged the city. On January 14, 1907, a final catastrophic earthquake occurred, causing the sand spit to liquefy once more and resulting in the near-total destruction of the rebuilt city. This event submerged additional portions of the area. Today, the place is a shadow of its former self, a quiet town with a population of less than 2,000. Only a few relics of its enchanting history remain, romantic past such as such as Fort Charles and the Old Naval Hospital.
But what about the sunken part of Port Royal? Is it still there? The answer is yes. The underwater city of Port Royal is a unique archaeological site that preserves a snapshot of life in the 17th century Caribbean. The salt water and anaerobic conditions have prevented much decay and erosion of the artifacts and structures.
Since the 1950s, several underwater expeditions have explored and excavated Port Royal, revealing amazing finds such as cannons, coins, pottery, jewelry, weapons, tools, bones, and even food.
In this video, a National Geographic diving crew uncovers the ruins of a Port Royal tavern, where Captain Morgan himself might have had a drink.
The underwater city of Port Royal is not only a treasure trove for archaeologists but also for historians and tourists. It offers a glimpse into the past that is rare and valuable. It also raises questions about morality, fate, and human nature. Was Port Royal’s destruction a divine punishment for its wickedness? Or was it just a natural disaster that could happen to any city? How did the people of Port Royal live and die? And what can we learn from their stories?