The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-01-16

Kingston is the capital % the Island
90 Jamaica and the principal seaport
and commercial city OF that island u
IS situated ON the south coast and ON
the north side % fine harbor The
latter is a iand-locked basin. available
for the largest ships and IS enclosed
on the south by long tongue Of land
az the extremity OF which is Port
Royal The population OF Kingston IS
about 80. 600.
The only volcanic formation in tho
island Is that az the Isowlayton and
Retreat estates in the parish % Port
land. a mile from tho sea in the coun-
y OF Surrey. in which Kingston is
situated. There is however no de-
fined crater and the volcanic materials
are the only evidences remaining
The coast formation % Surrey coun-
IS is ~ white and yellow limestone.
and the greater part OF the country
is very mountainous
In August. 1908. Jamaica WAS swept
by hurricane. which almost totally
destroyed Port Antonio and inflicted
damage IN various parts Of the island
amounting 70 about $4,000 600 Thou
sands OF houses in Kingston were dam
aged. tho wharves were battered and
several coasting vessels were sunk
on November Isth last. a sharp
earth shock was felt in the south and
north Of the Island Of jamaica u was
followed Immediately by second
shock which was the heaviest eN-
pcricnced IN Jamaica IN many years.
In 1902 "A great earthquake DESTROYED
Port ROYAL. ~ whose 1000 houses only
40 We're left standing.
IL was this catastrophe which led 10 the
founding Of Kingston. many OF tho sur
vivors removing 10 the plain % A-iguanea
and settling on land belonging 10 Col
Beeston. where Kingston now stands
So, 100000 Fire.
ed. fafr d
Kingston. destroying property 10 tue
value % g.. 500.Oo. and in l4s another hre
caused damage 10 the amount Of about
S5OQOo0
In August 1850 a cyclone passed over
tho eastern half OF Jamaica. destroyed
nearly all the wharves in the haroor OF
Kingston and also caused much damage
20 the shipping in the hart-s-- The
storm lasted about i've hours. but little
rain sell IN Kingston and there was moon
light throughout.
quake at Kingston. each consisting OF
large number OF tremors. lasting seven
or eight seconds. on December = lsSl
The shocks were felt throughout the
island
A tremendous hurricane visited Jamaica
in 1878 The whole island was deluged.
hundreds Of houses were washed away.
vessels were wrecked, and about one
thousand persons were drowned.
The city Of KINGSTON IS laid out with
regular and wide streets. and the better
class Of houses are neatly built. with wide
verandas and surrounded by handsome
gardens Street cars run to the suburbs.
ana two lines Of railways connect the
city with the northern ana eastern parts
Of the island.
Kingston has n botanical garden IL
brarv. museum. hospital and various other
public buildings. and is the seat Of an
Anglican bishoprtc
The harbor Of Kingston. which is con
sidered to he one OF the finest in the
world s. protected by forts. There IS "a
naval arsenal NJ Port Royal
Nearty all the trade Of the colony OF
Jamaica centres AZ Kingston. Kingston
ana the commercial houses OF that city
-. extensive relations with Southern
Cuba and Central America. as well az
win the United States and Europe. The
exports are mainly rum conee. dye WOODS
and fruits
Tho streets OF Kingston run at right
angles 10 the sea