Port Royal, the sunken city of pirates

Port Royal, the sunken city of pirates In the 17th century, the fleets of Spain and England were in fierce competition. They are fighting for supremacy, because those who control the sea routes secure their wealth and trade in products from distant islands. English ships deliver the goods to the English Crown, the Spanish Armada provides wealth for its Spanish ruler. Everyone seeks to plunder the enemy’s ships, sink them and inflict enormous financial damage. The apple of discord is Port Royal, the royal port. It is located on the island of Jamaica, Antilles, located between the two Americas and is part of the territories conquered by the British Crown. The port is an important strategic route that controls trade and where loaded ships depart for Europe. Port Royal thrives on this trade, but it is also a stop and refuge for pirates. They attack and rob the rich ships, and unload and hide the loot in Port Royal. To this day, it is believed that there are hidden treasures worth no less than 80 million euros. The pirates are at home in Port Royal. Here they hide their treasures, another part of the goods they have robbed is destined for the black market, and the smuggling of alcohol ensures the well-being of the port. Pirates spend days and nights in taverns scattering stolen coins and spending time in the company of generous ladies. Today, scientists have estimated that one person living in Port Royal has 10 taverns.

Pirates are not prosecuted because the English Crown sees its interest in their presence. On the one hand, the pirates control the smuggling and provide the goods for sale, on the other hand, they waste their wealth on this island. The English crown encourages even pirates to attack the ships of the Spanish Armada. It is better to plunder the enemy’s ships than those of the English fleet… And with this tactic the treasury of the English ruler is always full. Life in Port Royal is wonderful: warm climate, emerald sea, thriving trade, the city is immersed in alcohol, laws are not obeyed… Historical documents preserve the testimonies of visitors to Port Royal, who write that there is real depravity and lawlessness. Such a document, preserved from 1692, says that Port Royal is a real mess. Many share the view that one day the port will provoke the wrath of God, who will wipe it off the face of the earth. The day is June 7, and the year is 1692. On this day, Port Royal was hit by a natural disaster that plunged much of the island underwater. At that time, the population of the port numbered 20,000. The houses, more than 2,000, were built on the English model with bricks, and the streets were straight. The settlement is located in the area of ​​two active earth plates, that of the Caribbean and the North American plate. Their movement caused the earthquake in 1692. This event is evidenced by documents which state that the catastrophe occurred before noon. This fact was confirmed after researchers found an underwater clock. He was subjected to X-rays, which showed that the hands of the clock stopped at 11 hours and 43 minutes. Scientists believe that there were three earthquakes during the natural disaster. The first quake destroyed most of the buildings. During the second quake, cracks open in the ground, through which the groundwater mass rises to the surface, and the sand turns into floating sands. The process by which sand turns into floating sands and becomes “liquid” is what scientists call “liquefaction” of soil. The liquefaction of the sand in Port Royal engulfs houses and residents at a depth of 5 meters underground. In the third quake, the port coast sank. Scientists believe that the earthquakes were followed by several tsunamis, which completed the process of destroying Port Royal. About 2,000 people died in this natural disaster and several hundred houses were submerged. To this day, there are houses and streets on the seabed that scientists are studying.