The Jamaica Earthquake of 1692 was a catastrophic event that caused two-thirds of the notorious pirate haven of Port Royal to sink beneath the Caribbean Sea. This disaster not only resulted in significant loss of life but also marked a turning point in the history of the region. The earthquake's aftermath led to changes in colonial governance and the decline of Port Royal as a major center of trade and piracy.

The Jamaica Earthquake of 1692 inspired Puritan poets in England and New England to publish moralizing ballads that interpreted the disaster as divine retribution. This literary response reflected the intertwining of faith and natural calamity, shaping the religious and cultural narratives of the time.