In 1872 the government designated Kingston, the largest city, as the capital. For much of the period between the English conquest and the 1692 earthquake, Port Royal served as the unofficial capital of Jamaica, while Spanish Town remained the official capital. The English initially called the place Cagway but soon renamed it as Port Royal. By 1659 two hundred houses, shops and warehouses had been built around the fort by 1692 five forts defended the port. The town was captured by England in 1655 during the invasion of Jamaica. Spain maintained control over the island for 146 years, until the English took control following their invasion of 1655. Spain kept control of Jamaica mostly so that it could prevent other countries from gaining access to the island, which was strategically situated within the trade routes of the Caribbean. They did, however, retain its Taino name. Much like the Taino before them, the Spanish did not appear to have much use for the Port Royal area. Instead they began to cultivate and process the sugar cane.
They came in search of new lands and valuable resources, like gold and silver.
Permanent settlement occurred when Juan de Esquivel brought a group of settlers in 1509. The Spanish first landed in Jamaica in 1494 under the leadership of Christopher Columbus, leading to the destruction of the Taino population. Although it is not known whether they ever settled at the spot, they did inhabit other parts of Jamaica. They used the area, which they called Caguay or Caguaya, during their fishing expeditions. The Taino Native Americans occupied this area for centuries before European settlement. Port Royal is the small town at the tip of the peninsula in the center of the map. Thoughts were that it could capitalize on its unique heritage, with archaeological findings from pre-colonial and privateering years as the basis of possible attractions. Plans were developed in 1999 to redevelop the small fishing town as a heritage tourism destination to serve cruise ships. Pirates from around the world congregated at Port Royal, coming from waters as far away as Madagascar.Īfter the 1692 disaster, Port Royal's commercial role was steadily taken over by the nearby town (and later, city) of Kingston. They continued to use the city as their main base 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. It was a popular homeport for the English and Dutch-sponsored privateers to spend their treasure during the 17th century. As a port city, it was notorious for its gaudy displays of wealth and loose morals. Port Royal was once home to privateers who were encouraged to attack Spanish vessels, at a time when smaller European nations were reluctant to attack Spain directly. Another severe earthquake occurred in 1907. Severe hurricanes have regularly damaged it. It was destroyed by an earthquake on 7 June 1692, which had an accompanying tsunami. Founded in 1494 by the Spanish, it was once the largest city in the Caribbean, functioning as the centre of shipping and commerce in the Caribbean Sea by the latter half of the 17th century. Port Royal is a village located at the end of the Palisadoes, at the mouth of Kingston Harbour, in southeastern Jamaica.
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