18th century Kingston viewed from beyond Port Royal
 
c 1780 in the 1790s
These views have not reproduced well, but they give an impression of the small size of the Kingston settlement
at a time when it was one of the most flourishing ports in the region. Long estimated the population at about
11,200 in the early 1770s - 5,000 Whites, 5,000 slaves, 1,200 Free Blacks and Coloureds, occupying 35 'spacious
streets' and 16 lanes. [For the sake of comparison - Sabina Park holds 30,000 spectators.]
Of the harbour he wrote: 'upwards of a thousand sail may anchor here in perfect safety, except from a hurricane;
and the water is so deep at the wharfs, that vessels of two hundredton lye along-side of them, to deliver their
cargoes.'
[BACK to START]
|
|
General views
of Kingston
more views >>>
|
