Dear Editor,
After observing the highly animated discourse concerning a wholesale "modernization" of Portland Bight and Goat Islands, I note that every single environmentalist who is worth his or her salt has come out in the strong possible opposition to this location being used for the purpose.
A variety of reasons have been given by them, not the least of which concerns the foreseeable danger in dredging up to 60 feet below the seabed in an area of hot springs and rich mineral deposits such as are found at Salt River and Milk River, both in that general area.
It was therefore most gratifying to note a suggestion from a retired Rear Admiral proposing that an expanded section of the Kingston Habour, the world's seventh-longest natural harbour, would be a far more practical and less invasive solution. This only triggered in my own mind an idea which I hope will be seen to be most practical for a number of very sound reasons.
This idea involves the rebuilding and redevelopment of Port Royal (Kingston 18). What a gift for the Chinese?! And well deserved, if I say so myself.
First of all, this oldest city in the Western Hemisphere is crying out loudly for this kind of redevelopment. Port Royal has history. Port Royal has character. And, Port Royal has land.
Secondly, certain relevant basic infrastructure comes with the territory. Not only will they benefit from the historic records, but it is certain that the recovery and discovery of necessity, associated with the dredging that will be taking place, will be par for the course of a truly classic, adventurous and highly profitable sequence of events.
Thirdly, it is hoped that environmental complainers will be more or less silent regarding such a scheme, especially since no volcanic activity similar to what may be associated with Portland Bight/lower Clarendon area has been reported in the Port Royal/Palisadoes or Kingston areas.
To the Chinese I would say, Happy Mooring in a rebuilt Port Royal.
Franklin D Hall
Kingston 7
Has anyone thought of Port Royal?
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After observing the highly animated discourse concerning a wholesale "modernization" of Portland Bight and Goat Islands, I note that every single environmentalist who is worth his or her salt has come out in the strong possible opposition to this location being used for the purpose.
A variety of reasons have been given by them, not the least of which concerns the foreseeable danger in dredging up to 60 feet below the seabed in an area of hot springs and rich mineral deposits such as are found at Salt River and Milk River, both in that general area.
It was therefore most gratifying to note a suggestion from a retired Rear Admiral proposing that an expanded section of the Kingston Habour, the world's seventh-longest natural harbour, would be a far more practical and less invasive solution. This only triggered in my own mind an idea which I hope will be seen to be most practical for a number of very sound reasons.
This idea involves the rebuilding and redevelopment of Port Royal (Kingston 18). What a gift for the Chinese?! And well deserved, if I say so myself.
First of all, this oldest city in the Western Hemisphere is crying out loudly for this kind of redevelopment. Port Royal has history. Port Royal has character. And, Port Royal has land.
Secondly, certain relevant basic infrastructure comes with the territory. Not only will they benefit from the historic records, but it is certain that the recovery and discovery of necessity, associated with the dredging that will be taking place, will be par for the course of a truly classic, adventurous and highly profitable sequence of events.
Thirdly, it is hoped that environmental complainers will be more or less silent regarding such a scheme, especially since no volcanic activity similar to what may be associated with Portland Bight/lower Clarendon area has been reported in the Port Royal/Palisadoes or Kingston areas.
To the Chinese I would say, Happy Mooring in a rebuilt Port Royal.
Franklin D Hall
Kingston 7
Has anyone thought of Port Royal?
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