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

! Kingston is the capital OF the Island
| OF Jamaica and the principal seaport
and commercial city OF that island. 1t
| is situated on the south coast and on
| the north side OF fine harbor The
| latter Is land-locked basin. available
| for the largest ships and is enclosed
! on the south by long tongue OF land
at the extremity OF which Is Port
Royal. The population OF Kingston is
about $4,000.
The only volcanic formation in the
island Is that at the Lowlayton and
Retreat estates in the parish OF Port
land. mile from the sea, in the coun-
ty 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 of Surrey coun-
ty Is of 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 to about $10.000,0o0. Thou
sands OF houses in Kingston were dam
aged tho wharves were battered and
several coasting vessels were sunk.
On November 18th last, sharp
earth shock was felt in the south and
north of the Island of Jamaica. II was
followed Immediately by second
shock. which was the heaviest eS-
pcrienced IN Jamaica In many years.
In 1902 great earthquake DESTROYED
Port ROYAL OF whose 1000 houses, oniy
200 were left standing.
IT was this catastrophe which led TO the
founding OF Kingston. many OF the sur
yivors removing to the plain or Liguanea
and settling on land belonging 10 Col
$2,5oo,ooo Fire.
In 1872 severe confiagration visited
Kingston. destroying property to the
,,I,,. ~ 90 bDn n1O and in lS43 another fire
caused damage to the amount OF ABOUT
100000
In August. 1880. cyclone passed over
tho eastern half OF Jamaica. destroyed
nearly al! the wharves in the haroor OK
Kingston ard also caused much damage
to the shipping in the hareo:. me
storm lasted about five hours, but niue
rain fell In Kingston and tnere WAS i'ioo''-
light throughout.
There was double shock OF earth
quake at Kingston each consisting OF a
large number OF tremors. lasting seven
or eieh. seconds, on December Z. 1871
The shocks were felt throughout the
island.
A tremendous hurricane visited Jamaica
in 1875. The WnOie iSidHu Who uS'"S-"'
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
yerandas and surrounded by handsome
gardens. Street cars run to the suburbs,
and two lines OF railways connect the !
citv with the northern and eastern parts
Kingston has a botanical garden, IL
brary, museum, hospital and various other
nublic buildings, and is the seat of MI
Anglican bishoprtc.
The harbor of Kingston. which is con-
sidered to be one Of the finest In the
world Is protected by forts. There Is
naval arsenal at Port Royal.
Nearly all, the trade Of the colony OF
centres at Kingston. Kingston /
ANA the commercial houses of that city
have extensive relations with Southern
Chi. and Central America, as well az
WITH the United States and Europe. The
exports are mainly rum. coffee. dye woods
and fruits. .,.,.
angles to the sea-