Why Is There a City Full of Dead Pirates on the Ocean Floor? The Wild and Wicked History of Port Royal, Jamaica

Port Royal, Jamaica: the name alone conjures up images of pirates with eye patches, rum-fueled brawls, and hidden treasures buried on sandy beaches. But as much as it might sound like the setting of a Hollywood blockbuster (thanks, Pirates of the Caribbean), the history of Port Royal is every bit as real—and twice as outrageous—as anything Captain Jack Sparrow could dream up. In its heyday, Port Royal was the epitome of pirate paradise, a bustling, wealthy city filled with swashbucklers, merchants, and, well, a whole lot of debauchery.

But like every wild party, things eventually got a little too rowdy, and nature had to step in. So, sit tight, grab a bottle of rum (or some sensible tea if you prefer), and let’s set sail through the scandalous history of Port Royal, Jamaica.

Pirates, Merchants, and a Free-for-All in the Caribbean

Founded in 1655, Port Royal started as a relatively modest English colony. However, its location on the southeastern coast of Jamaica quickly made it a hub for trade—and, more importantly, a safe haven for pirates and privateers. What’s the difference between a pirate and a privateer, you ask? Essentially, pirates were the unlicensed, “everybody’s enemy” type, while privateers had permission from a government (usually England) to plunder enemy ships. Either way, both groups loved calling Port Royal home.

By the late 1600s, Port Royal had earned the title of the "Wickedest City on Earth." And trust me, it wasn’t for its clean streets or law-abiding citizens. The town was overflowing with taverns, gambling houses, and brothels. If you had a little gold and an appetite for debauchery, Port Royal was the place to be. Pirates like Henry Morgan, a name you might recognize from that bottle of rum in your cupboard, operated out of the city, spending their ill-gotten riches on rum and rowdy fun.

As one contemporary observer put it, Port Royal was a place where “God in heaven is forgotten, the King of England is not much regarded, and the devil is very much feared and served.”

Captain Henry Morgan: The Pirate Who Became a Governor

One of the most infamous figures in Port Royal's history is Captain Henry Morgan. Known for his exploits as a pirate—or privateer, depending on who you ask—Morgan was notorious for attacking Spanish ships and settlements. His most famous raid, the sacking of Panama in 1671, brought him immense wealth and fame. But here’s the kicker: instead of ending up at the gallows, Morgan was knighted by King Charles II and eventually became the Lieutenant Governor of Jamaica.

Imagine that! One day, you’re looting cities; the next, you’re wearing a fancy hat, sitting in a governor’s mansion. Ah, the pirate’s life!

The Earthquake of 1692: When Port Royal Literally Fell Into the Sea

But not everything in Port Royal was fun and games. On June 7, 1692, the city met with a cataclysmic event that wiped out much of its population—and nearly the entire city itself. A massive earthquake, followed by a tsunami, devastated the town. According to reports, two-thirds of Port Royal sank into the sea, taking homes, people, and buried treasure with it.

Some saw the disaster as divine punishment for the city’s wicked ways. After all, you can only house so many pirates and scoundrels before karma comes knocking, right? But in all seriousness, the earthquake was a major geological event that reshaped Jamaica’s coast. Today, much of Port Royal remains submerged under the Caribbean Sea, a literal sunken city. Archeologists still dive into the waters, searching for relics of the once-bustling pirate haven.

Life After the Sinking: A Quieter Port Royal

After the 1692 earthquake, Port Royal never fully recovered. The city that had once been the crown jewel of the Caribbean and the envy of pirates everywhere became a quiet shadow of its former self. Although it remained an important outpost for the British Navy for a time, it never regained the raucous energy or wealth it had enjoyed during the pirate era.

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Over the centuries, several other natural disasters, including hurricanes and fires, battered what remained of Port Royal. In fact, an additional earthquake in 1907 further sealed its fate as a sleepy, unremarkable town. If there was any justice in history, Port Royal’s fall from grace could be seen as a grand comeuppance for its infamous past.

Pirates, Archaeology, and Hollywood: Port Royal's Lasting Legacy

Although Port Royal isn’t the bustling pirate paradise it once was, its legacy lives on. Today, it’s a tourist destination, where visitors can walk among the ruins and imagine what life might have been like during its wildest years. Archaeologists have uncovered a treasure trove of artifacts, from sunken ships to everyday items, offering glimpses into the lives of those who lived—and plundered—there.

And of course, we can’t talk about Port Royal without mentioning its influence on popular culture. If the name sounds familiar, it might be because Port Royal plays a prominent role in Disney's Pirates of the Caribbean franchise. While the movies take quite a few liberties with history (sorry, no actual cursed Aztec gold was found), they’ve helped cement Port Royal’s reputation as the ultimate pirate city.

What’s Left of Port Royal Today?

So, what remains of Port Royal in modern times? Not much of the original city, but there are still some structures and relics from the 17th century that survived the earthquake. Visitors can explore Fort Charles, the primary military defense at the time, which managed to remain above water. The Giddy House, a tilted building from the 1907 earthquake, is another quirky attraction for tourists.

But perhaps the most fascinating part of modern-day Port Royal lies beneath the waves. Archaeological expeditions continue to explore the sunken parts of the city, bringing up treasures and artifacts that provide clues to the life and chaos that once ruled these shores.

Conclusion

Port Royal’s history is a rollercoaster of excess, wealth, and disaster. From its early days as a pirate paradise to the catastrophic earthquake that sent much of it into the sea, the city has earned its place in the annals of history as one of the wildest and most infamous towns of the Caribbean. Though its days of piracy and debauchery are long gone, its legends—and even some of its structures—live on, waiting to share their stories with those curious enough to dive in.

So, the next time you hear tales of pirates, treasure, or cities falling into the sea, remember Port Royal. After all, not every day do you find a place where legends live both above and below the water!