New-York tribune., 1902-01-12
JAMAICA, WEST INDIES.
AGREEABLE TRIP AFFORDED BY THE
UNITED FRUIT CoMPANY's VESSELS.


UNITED FRUIT CoMPANY's VESSELS.
One OF the West Indies much better known to
Londoners than to New-Yorkers is the island of
Jamaica, which the Mother Country retains. This
is one of the largest four West Indies or Greater
Antilles. lying further toward the Equator than
the others little, and practically the Caribbean
Sea. which separates it by a wide distance from
the northerly shore of South America, The abo-
riginal name was Xaymaca, "land OF wood and
water" which well defines 1t. The island is 14a
miles long and 40 miles in its widest part with an
area of 4.193 square miles and population of about
three-Quarters of a million
1t was discovered in May 1894. by Columbus on
ms second trip to the New World who called it ST
Jago. and it remained a Spanish possession for 16l
years, when in 1855 British expedition sent out
by Cromwell under Penn and Venables attacked
the island. which capitulated after a trfing re-
sistance; In 1870 II formally ceded TO England
oy the treaty OF Madrid. From the sea level on all
sides OF Jamaica series Of ridges gradually ascend
to"aro the central ranges from which they radiate
dividing the larger rivers and attaining IN the
eliminating western peak of the Blue Mountains
an elevation of 1875 feet From these mountains
at least seventy streams dscend to the north and
south shores. but with the exception of one they
are not navisable. Lofty cliffs and imposing hills
characterize one side OF the island and extensive
landscapes Of vale and meadowland are Distinctive
OF the other
The beautiful Blue Mountains. forming the east
very nearly from west to east. overshadow Kings
ton and present picturesque background to IN.
CITY. me coast line is from 500 to $50 miles long
presenting numerous indentations which form safe
and roomy harbors
or the population OF the island five hundred tbou-
SAND are blacks. The pure whites In fact in 1891
numbered only about fifteen thousand At the same
tics are dietfs iangusge religion, laws and poll
ef fns country has long been notable characteris-
nrnciT oi sn's dark skinned people. Kingston is the
has, has fine harbor. and is overshadowed BY lofty
system OF ThaSn saod form picturesaus background
island. and makes hni vage and town on the
light There are many excursions that NAV DE be
taken from Kingston that will be found pleasing on
me vast sugar estates and the groves where is
raised the favorite Jamaica orange
A weekly service is maintained from Philadelpb,a
@ ana b1ston TO Jamaica by the United Fruit Conn
there are railroad connections with jamaica From
Fe5yon the United States mail steamers Admiral
Gay and from Philadelphia the Admiral Sampson
vessels are new sfns Sa, on THURSDAYS These
nave hrst-class accommodations for fifty passengers
trio lights are forward of the engines on the main
are especnn @ me noise Of the propeller
sIons' on the bridge deck passengers have ample
a smoking room. and women with a saloon On his
deck The steamers have frst class stewards and
OF ocean tourists with courtesv and KING at
,enuon; The best months to go to Jamaica are said
many tourists visit the island in the summer. The
even temperature and the cool sea hreezes make
Jamaica a summer resort. as we'll as a winter one
A summer vacation TO this island is one of the
most delightful yachting trips ina ginabe In sun1
mer the weather Is almost sure 70 be perfect the
sea smooth, and already II IS becoming well known
Representatives Of the United Fruit Companv
may oe FOUND at the following ports: St. AIMS
Bay; Ora Cabessa Bay, Port Maria, Annotta Ray
Bun Bay, Orange Bay, Hope Bay St Margaret's 5
Bay, Port Antonio. Manchioneal. Port Mora nj Mo-
rant Bay and Kingston
Kingston Is the chief town OF the island and now
md o,FrT
ernor, this change OF location having been made
from Spanish Town. the old capital, in 1872 IN is
pcturesquely situated at the foot of the Liguanea
Plains, at the head OF the splendid harbor formed
by the of the Pasadoes at the outer end
OF which stands Port Royal The streets OF Kings
ton have Just been laid with petrified bricks and
with asphalt They we'll lighted by gas and
electricity. The most recent Improvement in loco
motion is the electric car service, which has lust
been completed, with mileage of twenty-nine
miles In one direction It runs out 10 Papine. a
picturesque spot situated at the foot OF Port Royal
Mountains In another direction IL to Con-
slant Spring. at the foot of the Red Hill range
1t also goes out to Rock Fort; two miles of this
route Is along the shores of the beautiful harhor
a stranger arriving at Kingston and desirous of
seeing something of the island often difficulty
in obtaining information that will enable him to
visitor has only short time at his disposal he
will be compelled to confne himself to attractions
within easy reach OF Kingston. The Cantonement
OF Newcastle s at elevation of between $500 and
$500 feet above the Here the white regiment
Is located There is a splendid driving road through
the mountains to Newcastle, and on through Hard
piece of engineering work. winding through the
green-clad mountains, with here and there peeps
OF the and the plains below, over rvulets spark
ling with clear crystal water through gorges with
through coffee plantations. where one can the
trees In full blossom.