KF5JRV > TODAY 07.06.25 08:30z 33 Lines 1997 Bytes #174 (0) @ WW
BID : 9092_KF5JRV
Subj: Today in History - Jun 07
Path: ED1ZAC<ED1ZAC<IZ3LSV<IK6IHL<IK7NXU<HB9ON<DK0WUE<K7EK<VE3CGR<VE7ASS<
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Sent: 250607/0818Z 9092@KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA BPQ6.0.24
On June 7, 1692, a massive earthquake devastates the town of Port Royal in Jamaica, killing thousands. The strong tremors, soil
liquefaction and a tsunami brought on by the earthquake combined to destroy the entire town.
Port Royal was built on a peninsula off the coast of Jamaica in the harbor across from present-day Kingston. Many of the buildi
ngs where the 6,500 residents lived and worked were constructed right over the water. In the 17th century, Port Royal was known
throughout the New World as a headquarters for piracy and smuggling.
Earthquakes in the area were not uncommon, but were usually rather small. In 1688, a tremor had toppled three homes. But four y
ears later, late in the morning on June 7, three powerful quakes struck Jamaica. A large tsunami hit soon after, putting half o
f Port Royal under 40 feet of water. The HMS Swan was carried from the harbor and deposited on top of a building on the island.
It turned out to be a refuge for survivors.
Residents also soon discovered that the island of Port Royal was not made of bedrock. The relatively loosely packed soil turned
almost to liquid during the quake. Many buildings literally sank into the ground. In the aftermath, virtually every building i
n the city was uninhabitable, including two forts. Corpses from the cemetery floated in the harbor alongside recent victims of
the disaster.
On the main island, Spanish Town was also demolished. Even the north side of the island experienced great tragedy. Fifty people
were killed in a landslide. In all, about 3,000 people lost their lives on June 7. There was little respite in the aftermathâ€
“widespread looting began that evening and thousands more died in the following weeks due to sickness and injury. Aftershocks d
iscouraged the survivors from rebuilding Port Royal. Instead, the city of Kingston was built and remains to this day the larges
t city in Jamaica.
73 de Scott KF5JRV
Pmail: KF5JRV@KF5JRV.#NWAR.AR.USA.NA
Email KF5JRV@gmail.com
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