Gallow's Point
A mangrove-covered spit of land projecting out into Kingston Harbour. This was where many pirates, including "Calico Jack" Rackham, had been hung. After the execution, his tarred body was moved to Deadman’s Cay by the entrance to Kingston Harbour, as a grisly warning to other potential pirates. In time, its name was changed in "honour" of him.
The ferry reached the Kingston docks, at the seafront along Ocean Blvd where we came across a taxi for the ride back to our hotel.
A few days later we came right back to this same location, as the offices of the Port Royal Development Project were just a block or two away from the ferry docks, facing Ocean Blvd. Here we met Mr. Robert M. Stephens.
This delightful, erudite man was bubbling over with plans for making Port Royal into an important historical and cultural tourist destination. We were dazzled by charts and posters, while he explained the plans.
Sounding sort of like a cross between Colonial Williamsburg and a theme park, the Port Royal Development Project will transform the somnolent, run-down village into a vibrant tourist center, highlighting the enormous history of this small point of land. Docking facilities for cruise liners will be developed, and more accommodations will be provided for visitors.
Ten different theme areas will be developed around the two core historical areas of Old Port Royal & the British Naval Dockyard.
1. The first area that cruise passengers will see upon disembarking will be Old Port Royal. A small harbour will be reconstructed upon the site of the Chocolata Hole. Lining this will be 17th century-style shops, taverns and restaurants.
2. The Sunken City will eventually feature an Underwater Museum, with a mixture of reality and virtual reality. Visitors can watch underwater archeologists as they continue to excavate the ruins.
3. "Earthquake!" will be a multi-media simulated experience. Shades of Universal Studios!
4. The Naval Hospital & African-Jamaican Pavilion will feature the refurbished 1819 cast iron hospital. The museum featuring artifacts recovered from the sunken city will be re-opened.
5. In the King’s Royal Naval Dockyard visitors will get a feel what it was like in the time of Nelson, Vernon and Rodney.
6. Visitors can enjoy the unique local natural environment at Eco-Tours at Port Royal. Centered around the nearby lagoon, they can rent paddle boats while bird and wildlife watching, or hike along the nature trails.
7. Boat trips will take visitors to Sun and Sand: the Cays.
8. 19th Century Defence will feature the Victoria Battery, & the Giddy House.
9. In Living Traditions: Port Royal Today, the existing town will be spruced up, and it’s citizens will benefit from a learning center & community programs open to visitors.
10. On the edge of town, within the walls of an old British fort, Jamaican music and local musicians will find a home at the Fort Rocky Entertainment Centre.
Mr. Stephens was obviously excited about the potential for this project. Vast historical treasures that are now easily overlooked will be showcased. This development will provide resources and employment for local Jamaicans. There will be outlets for local craft items. Many will be trained and costumed as guides and hosts, producing scenes of living history. Famous historical figures: Henry Morgan, Horatio Nelson, or Anne Bonny will wander the streets. Military parades will take place in Fort Charles or the old Naval Dockyard. Visitors will even be offered the opportunity to rent costumes and play "pirate for a day".
It was closing time when he finished his presentation, so Mr. Stephens offered to drive us back to our hotel. Then, in the shade of the poolside mango tree, sipping our drinks, we learned more about Jamaica’s history and natural beauty as Mr. Stephens continued to tell us about his native land and it’s potential. As the twilight faded, it was exciting to think of the possibilities.
For more info on this project:
www.portroyal-jamaica.com
Robert M. Stephens
Port Royal Development Co.
Ste. 56 & 57 Ocean Blvd.
Kingston, Jamaica
The Palisadoes from the Air
When you fly out of Kingston International, be sure to sit on the left side of the airplane for a great view of Port Royal (flying in, sit on the right side). Here you can clearly see the road leading out along the Palisadoes (a long spit of land on the seaward side of Kingston Harbour) to Port Royal at the tip of the peninsula. Gallows Point (in photo above) is just out of sight to the lower right of the airplane window. The lagoon seen in the upper right corner is where you can find Fort Rupert sunken into the waters. The sunken portion of Port Royal is to the right of the far end -- where the coast line curves in a little.
Out in the ocean, upper left, you can see some keys (aka cays, but pronounced "keys"). The one closest to Port Royal, the dark one, is Gun Cay. About a 1/2 inch away on the photo -- to the upper left -- is a very low lying cay, barely seen, just some sand, which is Rackham's Cay -- where Calico Jack's tarred body was left on display as a warning against piracy, seen by all ships entering or leaving Kingston Harbour.
Port Royal from the Air
Fort Charles can be seen towards the top of the photo, towards the right side, near the shore -- look for the triangular walls. St. Peter's Church is just about dead center, next to the main road going through town. The ferry docks can be seen near the point of land on the right center. The Port Royal Plaza is just inland from there. The lower center of the photo, just above the top right of the jet engine, is Morgan's Harbour Hotel and the marina (with remnants of the Old British Naval Dockyards to the left and right of it). Gun Cay (brush covered) and Rackham's Cay (bare bit of sand) can be seen in the upper left corner.
Part
One .. Port Royal
Part Two .. Port Royal Development Project
Part Three .. Spanish Town & Kingston
Part Four .. Foods, Fauna and Flora
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