Kingston, Jamaica — a city born of 'wickedness' and disaster

It was at once the world's richest and wickedest city. However, over 400 years ago, an earthquake tore it apart. "In a few seismic seconds, as the watch fell from a pocket and stopped, the fortunes of Port Royal changed for ever. Ideas for a deliberately different kind of town took hold: a gridiron plan designed to suit the white, colonial, slave-trading and slave-holding elite – and to underscore its control of people and space. This would be the king's town, Kingston." Emily Mann reveals the history of Kingston, Jamaica for the Guardian.