Black River, Jamaica

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Black River is the name of the longest river in Jamaica and the city which is the capital St. Elizabeth Parish, in southwestern Jamaica.

[edit] The River

The name Black River refers to the darkness of the river bed caused by thick layers of decomposing vegetation. Its source is in Cockpit Country where it runs underground before emerging north of Siloah on the southern fringe Cockpits. 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.Running past Newton, the river flows into the Upper Morass merging with Smith River and other smaller tributaries. Here thick rushes flourish. Pollutants from the sugar cane grown to the north of the Upper Morass have affected river. In the Elim area, a fish farm cultivates the ‘Jesus fish’, a variety of African perch, so called because of its reputationas 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.

Lacovia is located between the Upper Morass and the Lower Morass. Here it joins the YS river making it the largest (14,085 acres) swamp environment in the entire Caribbean. 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 fora broad range of fish, birds and other creatures including lobsters, mangrove snappers, snook and mullet. Saltwater crocodiles inhabit the swamps but the population has declined due mainly to loss of habitat as heaving draining for agricultural or tourist purposes destroys their nesting places. Other birds are include egrets, herons and ospreys. The mangrove trees are sometimes spectacular with aerial roots sent out like spiders' legs, sometimes dropping 40 feet into the river.

[edit] The City

Once a thriving sugar port, it is today a centre of environmental tourism and a gateway to the Treasure Beach resort area.

The town sits at the mouth of the river of the same name. Treasure Beach is southeast of it, and the beaches of Crane to the south east and Luana to the west.

Historically it is signigifant as the place where, in 1781, survivors of the slave-ship Zong were landed after most of their fellow-captives had been thrown overboard so that the owners of the vessel could collect on their insurance.

The Waterloo Guest House in Black River is the first place in Jamaica to have electricity.

Logwood tree trunks were floated down the Black River to the port to be shipped to England for making of dyes.

Over 100 species of birds have been recorded in the Black River morass.