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Port Royal was the capital city of Jamaica until an earthquake on June 7, 1692 largely destroyed it, causing two thirds of the city to sink into the Caribbean Sea. Port Royal's role was taken over by the city of Kingston.
Situated at the western end of the Palisadoes sandspit that protects Kingston Harbor, Port Royal had gained a reputation in the 17th century as both the "richest and wickedest city in the world". It was notorious for its gaudy displays of wealth and loose morals, and was a popular place for pirates to bring and spend their treasure. During the 17th century the British actively encouraged and even paid Buccaneers based at Port Royal to attack Spanish and French shipping.
On June 7, 1692, a devastating earthquake hit the city causing the sandspit on which it was built to liquefy and flow out into Kingston Harbor . The effects of tsunamiA tsunami (from Japanese meaning wave in port (the term tidal wave is generally synonymous, but not in scientific usage, as tsunamis are not related to tides) is one or a series of waves that occur after an earthquake, seaquake, volcanic activity, slumps,s caused by the earthquake further eroded the sandspit, and soon the main part of the city lay permanently underwater, though intact enough that archaeologists have managed to uncover some well-preserved sites. The earthquake and tsunami killed between 1000 and 3000 people combined, over half the city's population.
Some attempts were made to rebuild the city, starting with the one third of the city that was not submerged, but these met with mixed success and numerous disasters. An initial attempt at rebuilding was again destroyed in 1704Events Building of the Student's Monument in Aiud, Romania. February 29 Native Americans sack Deerfield, Massachusetts August 13 War of the Spanish Succession: Battle of Blenheim Births June 22 John Taylor English Classical Scholar (died 1766) Deaths Febr, this time by fire. Subsequent rebuilding was hampered by several hurricanes in the first half of the 18th century17th century 18th century 19th century more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 18th century refers to the century that lasted from 1701- 1800; however, historians will sometimes specifically refer to the 18th Century as 1715- 89,, and soon KingstonPlaces called Kingston include: in Australia Kingston, Tasmania Kingston, Victoria Kingston on Murray, South Australia Kingston SE, South Australia (named to differentiate it from Kingston on Murray) Kingston, Norfolk Island, the capital of the territory eclipsed Port Royal in importance.
A final devastating earthquake on January 14January 14 is the 14th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 351 days remaining (352 in leap years). Celebrated as New Year's Day by those still following the Julian calendar. Events 1301 Andrew III dies, ending the Arpad dynasty in Hungary, 1907Events January events January 6 Maria Montessori opens her first school and daycare center for working class children in Rome Casa dei Bambini in San Lorenzo). January 14 An earthquake in Kingston, Jamaica kills more than a 1,000 January 23 Charles Curtis again liquefied the sandspit, destroying nearly all of the rebuilt city and submerging additional portions. Today the area is a shadow of its former self with a population of less than 2000 and has little to no commercial or political importance. The area is frequented by tourists but is in a state of disrepair. The Jamaican government has recently resolved to further develop the area for its historic and tourism value.
A popular brand of tobaccoacuminata N. alata N. attenuata N. bigelovil N. clevelandii N. debneyi N. excelsior N. exigua N. forgetiana N. glutinosa N. kawakamii N. knightiana N. langsdorffii N. longiflora N. obtusifolia N. otephora N. paniculata N. plumbagifolia N. quadrivalvis N. is also named after Port Royal.