The Day 60 Feet of Jamaica Sank

In 1957, a powerful earthquake shook western Jamaica — and on the southern shore of Port Royal, a strip of land vanished into the sea while one man was standing on it. This is the story of Bertram Hall, Port Royal's District Officer, who was fishing on the beach when the 1957 Jamaica earthquake tore an 8-by-600-foot section of shoreline away beneath him. We explore what happened that night in St. James and Montego Bay, how it connects to Port Royal's long history of loss — from the Great Earthquake of 1692 to 1907 and 1957 — and why so much of this history nearly slipped away untold, just like the land itself. We also speak with Mr. Hall's own godson, uncovering what's remembered about the man behind the story — and what's already been lost to time. This is more than an earthquake story. It's a reminder of why recording Jamaica's history matters, before it's gone for good. 🇯🇲 Subscribe for more untold stories from Jamaica's history: [channel link] 📍 Topics covered in this video: The 1957 Jamaica earthquake and its impact on St. James and Montego Bay Port Royal's history of earthquakes: 1692, 1907, and 1957 Bertram Hall's firsthand experience on Port Royal's southern shore The disappearing land of Port Royal Why preserving Jamaican oral history matters #JamaicaHistory #PortRoyal #1957Earthquake #MontegoBay #JamaicanHeritage #OneLoveJamaica Thank you for watching this video. Please like, share and subscribe for more video on all things Jamaican. Please also turn on post notification so you don't miss out when we post. ========================== Share and Subscribe @oneloveja Follow us on Instagram: Instagram: onelovejamaica_ Follow and like us on FaceBook Facebook: onelovejamaica1 One Love Jamaica 0:00 Introduction to Port Royal 1:57 The 1957 earthquake impact 4:21 Maritime surroundings 6:45 Historical context and legacy 10:48 Exploring the southern shore 16:07 Reflections on storytelling 21:43 Interview with a local resident 30:35 Preserving Jamaica's history