City:
Black River
History
The capital of the parish of St Elizabeth, Black River is named after the river that runs through the parish and enters the sea at the southernmost section of the town. Originally called Rio Caobana by the Spanish, the river was once a busy waterway and the primary trade route for sugar and logwood destined for markets outside of Jamaica. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the port at Black River was generally regarded as one of the most important ports on the island. Now the river, which begins in the Cockpit Country as Hector's River and surfaces and disappears at will, is used primarily for shrimping and ecotourism. From the Black River town end, there are a number of safari operators that, for a small fee, will take you on a tour of the lower river delta and the Great Morass. The mangroves (swamp areas named after the tropical trees which grow in the swamp mud) along the river are home to a wealth of species of plant and animal life.
Local Flavour
Waterloo, the house at 44 High Street, was the first building in Jamaica to be powered by electricity. Mr John Leyden built the elegant townhouse in 1875 when the town of Black River was in its zenith as a successful port and a primary economic centre of the island. Leyden, it is said, wired the house to the electricity plant situated at York Terrace (now called School Street) because he needed to run an air conditioner for his stabled racehorses. The Leydens supplied the whole town with electricity, which at the time made it the talk of the island. Black River, however, suffered a massive blow when the Leydens ran out of money and closed the business, because then the lights went out. The lights stayed out until 1936, when another company came into town and provided the town with electricity. In any case, today the house that still remains at 44 High Street has electricity, and is a remarkable symbol of the country's Colonial heritage, and of Black River's former glory.
Famous For
At the last count, more than 300 American crocodiles live predominantly in the Black River. Although those who live in the area claim that the crocs only attack humans during mating season or when their territory is threatened, swimming in the river is NOT recommended. Swimming in the river is not necessary either; everything there is to see can be observed from on board one of the safari boats, which is much safer!
Don't Miss
On the surface of the river itself, look out for bladderwort, a plant that baits small animals, traps them and then eats them after they suffocate or die of lack of food. Bladderwort uses a special type of mucous to attract its prey, which then swims into its path and is devoured by the plant. Jamaican folk legend maintains that bladderwort has healing properties and is a useful salve for many common ailments.
Say Hello To:
Mr Lloyd Linton, Aquatic Ecologist, Marine Biologist and expert in coastal zone management, is an expert on the Black River. Mr Linton has been instrumental in researching and assembling information about the Black River and the Lower Morass, and he is a wonderful resource for all types of information about crocodiles, the river and the flora and fauna found in the surrounding area. Find him at the Irie Safari office on the banks of the river beside the Riverside Dock Restaurant.