Black River Jamaica

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Aim of Study.1
Methodology..2
Location of study3
Location Maps..4
Presentation of Data.5
Analysis and Discussion....6
Conclusion..7
Bibliography.8
Appendix

Aim of Study

Methodology

Black River - St. Elizabeth

For a real life slice of Jamaican history pay a visit to Black River. The town grew up on the
banks of the Black River and is one of the oldest in Jamaica. Black River found much wealth
during the logwood boom, a wealth which was lavishly displayed in the town's buildings. Great
examples of Victorian and Georgian architecture have been preserved in the town, with many old
buildings being continually used and maintained to the current day. The historic district of the
town was declared a Protected National Heritage District in 1999. However, Black River is not
without some natural wonders. Indeed, most visitors to Black River are oblivious to the town's
illustrious history and head straight for the River and Great Morass which is teeming with
wildlife, most notably in the form of Jamaican crocodiles!

The Black River

Tours of the Black River are available from a range of boat operators at the mouth of the river
offering crocodile safaris. Most guides have worked the river for many years and know where
the great crocodiles are hiding out. Crocodile sightings are virtually guaranteed but the number
you see may vary - on a bad day just one or two but on a good day you may see many more. It is
estimated that 300 crocodiles live in the river. The Black River itself takes its name from the dark
colour of the peat river bed, the water itself is not actually this colour but the dark bed gives this
impression. The Spanish used to call the river "Rio Caobana" (the Mahogany River) presumably
named because of the dark appearance of the water. Most boats can only reach a few miles
upstream due to a low bridge obstructing the way, however, some are able to sail under the
bridge and explore further. If you are keen on doing some deep exploration ask your captain
whether the boat can fit under the bridge before you set off! The river is the third longest river in
Jamaica, measuring 33 miles from the source to the sea. A trip far up the river will take you in to
the Black River Lower Morass.

History of Black River

The town of Black River was established in the late 17th century Black River became an
important port, particularly for the thriving trade of exporting logwood and sugar. In 1773 the
town became the capital of St. Elizabeth Parish and in the early 20th century it was the second
most important town in Jamaica (after Kingston). Many prominent Jamaican's hail from Black
River, including George William Gordon and Norman Washington Manley (national heroes of
Jamaica) and Sir Donald Sangster (former Prime Minister). Black River was also the first town
in Jamaica to receive electricity, the first to have a motor car and the first place to have a race
track.
Once thought to be the longest river in Jamaica but has more recently lost that title to the Rio
Minho, the Black River, originates in the mountains of Manchester and flows west where it
disappears underground and re-emerges in St Elizabeth.
Measuring 53.4 kilometres (33 miles), it is navigable for about 40 kilometres (25 miles), and is
supported by many tributaries including Y.S., Broad, Grass and Horse Savannah.
The river get's its name from the darkness of the river bed that has over the years been lined with
thick layers of decomposing vegetaion. This gives the river a dark almost black hue especially in
the more thickly vegetated areas.
The Black river begins as an underground stream in the Cockpit Country and emerges north of
Siloah on the southern border of the Cockpits.

At Maggotty, the river runs alongside the road where it is convenient to explore its banks and to
view the many small waterfalls and the Black River Gorge. The vegetation is dense and
overgrown in places but the Apple Valley Park maintains a cleared trail to the gorge and will also
provide a guide.
To the south of Maggotty past Newton, the river flows into the Upper Morass where the waters
merge with those of the Smith River and other smaller tributaries. It is dominated by thick rushes
and is easily explored by canoe. Sugar cane is grown on the land to the north of the Upper
Morass where the fertilizer and pesticide run off has polluted the river.
In the Elim area, a variety of African perch known locally as the Jesus fish is being farmed to
help combat the overfishing of Jamaica's coastal waters. Its local name refers to the miracle of
the multiplication of fishes because it is a prolific breeder.
Also found in these swamps is the Jesus bird, a jacana that wades among the floating leaves of
aquatic plants giving the impression of walking on water. Jamaican colloquialism is uniquely
descriptive and frequently imbued with biblical references.

The river flows to the plain known as the Savannah, through the
Great Morass and to the sea at Black River, the capital of the parish.
After passing through Lacovia, the river flows into the Lower Morass, the largest (14,085 acres)
swamp environment exhibiting the greatest biodiversity in the entire Caribbean.
The river merges with the waters of the YS River near Middle Quarters, an area well known for
its crayfish that is sold at roadside stands as hot pepper shrimps. It is in this region of the Lower
Morass that shrimp fishermen can be found tending their trap baskets that are similar in design
to those still used by fishermen on the Niger River in Africa and brought to the island by slaves
over 300 years ago.
Upriver, the YS Falls are a delightful contrast to the somnolence of the Lower Black River. The
cool, clear water rushes over three levels for 120 feet to form one of the largest and prettiest
waterfalls in Jamaica. Large pools at each level allow for a refreshing swim and are accessed by
stairs alongside the river.
The town of Black River, established close to the banks of the river after which it was named,
was designed by the Leyton brothers, three wealthy landowners who were notable business men
of the era.
It was established sometime around 1671 and was designated the captal of the parish of St.
Elizabeth in 1773, when it replaced the Lacovia.
Situated at the mouth of the Black River, where it flows into the sea, the town played an
important role in the slave trade, sugar and logwood industry throughout the seventeenth,
eighteenth and nineteenth centuries.

It was a thriving town, second only to Kingston, where local farmers transported their sugar,
logwood that was used to make dyes, and pimento to for trade or export.
West African slaves were auctioned at Farquharson Wharf. Today, there are only a few surviving
wharves that were used to auction slaves.
As a major sea port, it became a major commercial center on the south coast of Jamaica. It's
wealth contributed to it being the first town in Jamaica to be lit by electricty in 1893. It was also
the first town to have cars in 1903 and telephone 10 years after it was invented.
Black River Historic district was designated a Protected National Heritage on April 8, 1999.
These properties include the Magdala House, the Invercauld Guest House, St. Elizabeth Parish
Library, the Black River Court House, the Public Works Office, the Parish Council Office, the
Health Centre, the St. Theresa Catholic Church, the Black River Post Office the St. Elizabeth
Parish Church, the Bank of Nova Scotia, the Revenue Office, the Black River Safari, and all the
buildings and warehouses situated along the coastal side of High Street and those situated
between the eastern banks of the Black River and Crane Road.
The Black River is one of the longest rivers in Jamaica. At a length of 53.4 km (33.2 mi),[1] it was
believed to be the longest until it was discovered that the Rio Minho was 92.8 km long.[2] Its name
refers to the darkness of the river bed caused by thick layers of decomposing vegetation. Over 100
species of birds have been recorded in the Black River morass. [2]

The river's source is the Cockpit Country where it runs underground before emerging north
of Siloah on the southern fringe

Immediately after its emergence, the river meanders gently through the cane fields of the Appleton
Estate. It receives a boost from the One Eye River which is a continuation of the larger Hectors
River which forms theTrelawny-Manchester border. Approaching Maggoty its speed increases and
occasional rapids occur.[3]
Passing through Maggotty, the river runs alongside the road and goes down several small waterfalls
and the Black River Gorge located in the Apple Valley Park.[3] Running past Newton, the river flows
into the Upper Morass being joined by the Smith River and other smaller tributaries,[3] where thick
rushes flourish. In the Elim area, a fish farm cultivates the Jesus fish, a variety of African perch,[4] so
called because of its reputation as a prolific breeder. The Jacana is also known locally as the Jesus

bird, as it gives the impression of walking on water when it wades among the floating leaves of
aquatic plants.

Rasta tourist guide on Black River

Lacovia and Middle Quarters are located between the Upper Morass and the Lower Morass.[3] Middle
Quarters is famous for its crayfish known locally as hot pepper shrimps. The traps mused by the
fishermen are similar to those of the Niger River in Africa and were brought to the island by slaves
over 300 years ago.
The Lower Morass consists of shallow estuaries, marshland and mangrove swamps providing a rich
ecological environment for a broad range of fish, birds and other creatures including lobsters,
mangrove snappers, snook and mullet.[2] Here the river is joined by the YS river[3] making the Lower
Morass the largest (14,085 acres) swamp environment in the Caribbean.American
crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) inhabit the swamps[2] but the population has declined due mainly to
loss of habitat as heavy draining for agricultural or tourist destroys their nesting places. Birds found
here include egrets, herons and ospreys. The mangrove trees of the Lower Morass are sometimes
spectacular with aerial roots sent out like spiders' legs, sometimes dropping 40 feet into the river.
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The Black River is one of the longest rivers in Jamaica. At a length of 53.4 km, it was believed to
be the longest until it was discovered that the Rio Minho was 92.8 km long. Wikipedia

Length: 33 miles (53 km)

Source: Cockpit Country
Mouth: Caribbean Sea
Country: Jamaica