The Washington herald., 1907-01-16
HAS STORMY HISTORY
Jamaica Swept by Fire, Wind,
and Earthquakes.
ISLAND OF STRATEGIC VALUE
Being In Direct Track of Vessels BE-
tween Europe and America, 1t Fur
niShes Advantages and Convent
euces for observation-disclosures of
Kingston Nearly All Negroes.

The closest point of the continent OF
America TO jamaica the scene of yes
terdays earthquake. is Cape Garcias a
Dios. in the Mosquito Territory. which s.
80 miles southwest Of the west end OF
jamaica
The Island of Jamaica is about 1900
miles to the southwest Of England 100
miles west of Santo Domingo, and 30 miles
south of Cuba, AS miles north of Cartha-
gena, and $40 miles from Colon. The
island is bounded on the north and east
by that part of the Caribbean Sea which
separates the Island Of Cuba and Santo
Domingo from Jamaica. and which at the
northeastern part is called THE Windward
Passage the waters of which mingle
with those Of the Atlantic Ocean. On the
south and west of Jamaica is washed by
the Caribbean Sea
Centrally Situated.
From its central situation as regards
the other West Indian islands. and The
fact Of its being in the direct track be-
tween Europe and the United States mi
the Isthmus Of Panama. Jamaica furnishes
advantage and convenience for trade
which are not 10 be found elsewhere. The
completion of the Panama Canal win nm
doubtedly make the island one of great
stragetc Importance upon the new trade
route.
lhe extreme length of Jamaica is l4l
piIes, It's greatest width is - miles. and It's
least width. from Kingston 10 Annette
Bay. is -lis miles The island is divided
INTO three counties and fourteen parishes.
giving total of L307 1t square miles
equal tc 2G92,5S7 acres, of which only 6is
square miles are fiat. consisting of aIlu-
Nium, marL and swamps.
Few whites There.
There are about 5000 people in Kings
ton, most of whom are negroes. There
are only about 1900 whites in the whole
island OF jamaica, which has a population
of SJ0010
Kingston. the capital Of jamaica. is the
largest and most important commercial
town IN the British West Indies. 1t COW
cred with its suburbs an area Of about
l.oeo acres. The land on which Kingston
stood had "a general slope 10 the sea and
must have originally had "a uniformly
smooth surface. but in consequence OF
neglect in permitting flood waters TO flow
down north and south streets. they were
so worn as to be much below the general
level
hlng street. running north and south
was originally the center OF the town
Queen street was the center running east
and west AT the intersection Of King and
Queen streets a plaza. or parade ground.
was reserved. forming a square OF ten
acres in the center Of the town. This vas
formerly used as a market space and pa
rade ground for the troops and militia.
but was afterward converted by the gov
eminent into garden
Many Public Buildings.
Among the principal buildings Of the
city were "a theater. the Colonial Bank
insane asylum, public hospital. general
penitentiary. AIico Institution, town haB
Institute OF jamaica. and the Jamaica
Club. Among the places OF worship were
the Parish Church Coke Chapel. s..
Michaers Church. and Holy Trinity Cath
Ollie Church. There was also a fine syna-
gogue at the corner Of Charles and Duke
streets
Lines of steamers touched at Kingston
regularly, keeping up communication
with the United States. England. and
Europe. The harbor admits the largest
vessels The shipping of the port i'm 1881
amounted to $4,000 tons.
The city Of Kingston was one Of the
most fioUrishing commercial island points
of any OF the West Indies. enjoying large
business in sugar and fruits The banana
exports were estimated at S5.e1.O00 an
nually
UnHttrHctive in Appearance.
In appearance Kingston was unattrac-
tive and its buildings inferior It is was
lighted by electricity and had electric
railways. The suburbs are remarkable
for their beauty. The governor and the
wealthiest people lived there, while the
poorer classes. mostly negroes. lived in
the city proper.
The harbor of Kingston is inclosed to
the southwark 10y "a narrow strip about
seven miles in length, at the western ex-
rremity OF which, at the mouth Of the
harDor lie the ruins Of the old town of
Port Royal which, on June :. 1892. was
destroyed by an earthquake. 5000 Of the
inhabitants of the island being killed.
Destroyed Many Times.
As terror after the earthquake subsided
new houses were erected and the place
began again 10 flourish. but in 1903 IRE
broke out in a warehouse where gun pow
der was stored. and iB d few hours the
entire town was in flames. With the ex-
ception of the royal forts and magazines
not "a building was left Notwithstanding
these occurrences, the town was again re-
established. New houses were built and
trade restored, but on August - I722. a i
storm passed over the town. which swept
the greater portions Of the buildings into
the sea and destroyed a number of lives.
This further calamity was again for
gotten. and Port Royal was again crowd
ed with houses and enriched by profitable
trade.
July l3, 1916, fire broke out and i'm a few
hours again destroyed the whole place
and left many of the inhabitants almost
destitute. The town again suffered Sc
verely in the hurricane of August Is. 1880. /
and very many Of the houses then wholly
or partially destroyed were permitted to-
remain in that condition.
HAWAIIAN VOLCANO ACTIVE. /