Port Royal

Of all the ports across the seven seas perhaps the one most associated with pirates and privateers is Port Royal in the Carribean. The town featured in the Pirates of the Carribean movies, with the island of Saint Vincent standing in for Port Royal.

History

Port Royal is situated in Jamaica and was founded in the early 16th century by Spanish colonists. It was captured by the English in 1655 and became capital of Jamaica, a position more recently held by Kingston.

The association of pirates with Port Royal was due to simple practical considerations. Jamaica was a difficult island to defend; the English had captured it easily and realised that it could be taken back just as easily. So in 1657 the Governor, Edward D'Oley, invited the Brethren of the Coast to make Port Royal their home.

Pirates

The Brethren were pirates, many of whom had a grudge against the Spanish. They were thus more than happy to be given safe haven in an English port close to prosperous shipping lanes in the Spanish Main. Many attacks on Spanish ships were carried out by pirates from Port Royal and many of the Brethren went on to be formally recognised as legal English Privateers with formal letters of marque. The presence of the pirates both harassed the Spanish and acted as defence for the port - who would risk invading a town protected by some of the most fearsome and ruthless men of the sea?

With the brethren based in Port Royal the town naturally attracted many other pirates and privateers. After raiding Spanish trading vessels, these pirates would return to Port Royal to spend their money. The combination of money and hard living seamen led to a massive growth in ways to part the two. At one point the port is estimated to have had one drinking house for every ten people - to say nothing of the whorehouses. During the 17th century Port Royal became known as the "Sodom of the New World".

Port Royal was finally destroyed by a massive earthqake and subsequent tsunami in 1692. Many believed the earthquake to be God's punishment for the town's sinful ways.