The 1957 earthquake caused deaths, left hundreds homeless and property damage, particularly in St. James and other western areas of the island. Many schools, churches and homes were severely damaged and some destroyed entirely. According to reports Montego Bay and its environs were the worst hit areas by the earthquake. There the St. James Parish church suffered heavy damage. The clock tower was completely destroyed. Other churches extensively damaged included the Holy Trinity Church, St. Paul’s Kirk and Burchell Baptist Church. The Public works department reported that roads and bridges in St.James and Hanover were damaged.
Thousands milled in the streets of Montego Bay as the worst earthquake shock ever felt in the life-time of many of the residents was experiences. Panic reigned for some time as lights, telephone and telegraphic services were completely disrupted, water mains broke, buildings cracked and tumbled. Churches in Montego Bay and surrounding areas were the worst hit. In-bond shops suffered heavy losses as hundreds of bottles of perfumes, liqueurs and other merchandise were destroyed when buildings rocked on their foundations. Road and rail services were curtailed. The lines between Anchovy and Montego Bay were blocked by heavy boulders. There were 4 deaths. One death was a railway employee who met instant death from falling stones when a trolley he was travelling mounted rocks which had been dislodged by the quake. The trolley was a total wreck. Seven other persons were injured and hospitalized. Another fatality from rolling stones was at Ipswich when Mrs. Lilian Smith, while walking on the road was crushed. Another May Davis, 60 years old Gleaner Vendor was fatally struck by bricks which fell from the wall of an Old kitchen at 63 Charles Street. In total about 24 persons in Montego Bay and environs suffered injury. In Westmoreland damage to persons property was extensive. Numerous churches, merchants, shopkeepers and homes suffered considerable losses. Hanover was hit very hard. Most of the roads there were blocked by landslides. Bridges leading to the town of Lucea were nearly all damaged. In the Green Island end, and Western Hanover the culverts were also damaged. The water supply for the town and to the Hotel area at Hopewell was disconnected owing to broken mains.
Damages by the earthquake was estimated to run into hundreds of thousands of pounds. Damages to roads and bridges in Western Section of the Island was estimated at £85,000, the damage in Montego Bay has been put at £100,000.
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