For those who knew the south-western coastal town of Black River before the coming of Hurricane Melissa, any visit now will likely prove extremely disturbing.

The historic structures, made of wood and stone — some more than 200 years old lining coastline and riverbank — which defined St Elizabeth’s capital are all gone. They stood no chance against tidal waves driven by the storm’s monstrous winds.

Yet, even in a disaster such as this, there usually is a glimmer of hope. Such is captured in the survival of the Zong Monument, in our view. The monument serves as a reminder of ancestors kidnapped in Africa and shipped thousands of miles across the Atlantic in indescribably inhumane conditions to be enslaved by Europeans in the Americas, including Jamaica and the wider Caribbean.

Unveiled in 2007, the Zong Monument commemorates the 200th anniversary of abolition by the British of what is described by historians as the TransAtlantic Slave Trade — a cornerstone in the enrichment and industrialisation of Europe.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Melissa, the etched stone and concrete monument is still there, seemingly intact, though defaced by vandals.

Located close to the seashore and riverbank, reputedly on the spot where newly arrived Africans were auctioned by traders to planters and other slave owners, the Zong Monument stands amid rubble.

In the backdrop, the once-modern, spacious Black River Market is now crumpled and tossed aside — like discarded paper. Untidy piles of wood, all that’s left of slave-era buildings which, until Melissa’s arrival, served as restaurants, bars, boat houses, and other businesses, are right there.

Yet, even with all that’s lost, the Zong Monument captures in significant fashion Black River’s storied history. As told by historians, the Zong was a slave ship which left West Africa bound for Jamaica on September 6, 1781. It had more than 400 kidnapped Africans — twice the recommended capacity — chained and bound, packed like sardines in its cramped hold. Slowed by adverse winds and a navigational error, the vessel did not arrive in Black River until December 22 that year.

By then, sickness had taken the lives of 60 Africans and seven crew members. Worse, 122 of the kidnapped were reportedly thrown overboard to their deaths on the orders of the ship’s captain, who claimed drinking water was running dangerously low. Another 10 Africans escaped their awful existence by jumping overboard.

The ship’s owners claimed insurance compensation for loss of property but lost on appeal. Intriguingly, the British authorities rejected an attempt by the anti-slavery lobby for murder charges to be brought against the captain and crew. Quotes attributed to the then British Solicitor General Justice John Lee suggested slaves were mere chattel, property, not human.

Said Justice Lee: “[I]t is madness to accuse these well-serving, honourable men of murder… the case is the same as if wood had been thrown overboard.”

We note comments by Prime Minister Dr Andrew Holness and others in Government of planned clean-up of Black River soon, and restoration embracing resilience as a primary ingredient. Member of Parliament for St Elizabeth South Western, which embraces Black River, Mr Floyd Green, speaks of a “studied approach” which will incorporate the town’s immense historical importance.

Presumably, architects, planners, and the people of Black River will have their say. Whatever happens, we believe it is absolutely essential that the restoration model allows Jamaicans and visitors to properly appreciate Black River’s rich history.

The idea of the Zong Monument should be expanded and developed with all the creativity at our disposal. Furthermore, Black River should be recreated in such a way that the wrath of Hurricane Melissa and the possibility of repeat — there and elsewhere — are never forgotten.