New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1891-07-04
PORT ROYAL.

and thereby saved the commercial empire Of Eng
lAad. was fought 20 prevent the surrender of
Jamaica 20 the French. Too much history has
been made In these waters TO admit Of the dis
appearance Of the naval station, along with the
whites of Kingston and the island So there is
either an admiral a commodore here ordinarily
guard-ships and vessels Of war are always at
anchor here at the dOckyard there Is plant new
and old, for repairing ships; there is a marine
hospital with ample accommodations for yellow
fever and smallpox patients; and there are bar
racks officers quarters, stOrehouses and fortitca-
lions, antiquated and modern AT sunrise and at
sunset guns are fired and the lazy routine of
naval station is conducted varied by furry OF
connection when the commanding officer is re-
called and his successor is greeted with the transi-
tory glory Of full battery salute. The town
Itself is fOrorn and squalid, with nothing Of in
terest in il except church built after the terri
bic earthquake, with its walls lined with pathetic
memorials 10 soldiers and sailors who had persisted
from the ravages of yellow fever far from home
and friends 1t is something, however, 10 see
the flag still floating proudly over this famous
naval staton-a symbol Of prestige won in these
waters al costly sacrifice of blood and treasure
and sign that England Is not wholly unmindtul
Of the fate of her once highly priced possessions.
Port Royal lies on a sand bank at the entrance
OF deep lagoon formed by the river CODre. Inc
graSsgrOwn palsade of sand crowned here and
there with stunted palms runs inland eight miles
There batteries opposite the entrance and further
IN are the ruins Of Fort Augusta. built on an m
Wholesome site where yellow fever was singularly
fatal In the farther reaches OF the lagoon stands
Kingston OH shopping hillside with the magnih-
cent background Of the Blue Mountains There
are few cities with a scenic setting % be com
pared with the British capital Of the West Indies.
Approached from il is seen for hours before the
cHcuitOus channel is traversed and with the
mountains wreatbed With mist behind II IL is trans
hand Is something very different 1t Is city
essentially commonplace, with duh and shabby
houses, unpretentious and Ill designed buildings,
unpayed streets fouled with the slime Of open
drains and with few trees and meagre display
of tropical vegetation Kingston has been dew
astated by fire 50 often that il is remarkable that
II has not been remOdeled in architecture and I'M
proved IL appearance but it has been rebuilt after
each disaster III the halsprited and inartlstc
way. From the Victoria Market az the waters
edge King-st. the principal business thOrouqhiare,
runs up the slope OF the hall 10 the parade-grOrnd,
an i'll kept park with a few fine trees and dusty
parterres Of flowers. QUeen.st meets this central
square at right angles with Kng-st. and Is equally
uninteTesting. Near the parade-ground is an ill
proportioned English church remarkable chiefly
for being the bural-pace Of Admiral Benbow.
There is an unimpressive statue OF Rodney; the
Colonial office IS biz dingy square house; there