Today, the city is a centre of environmental tourism and a gateway to the Treasure Beach resort area.

[2] Black River is one of the oldest European towns in the island of Jamaica, being shown on John Sellers' 1685 map.

It was designed by the Leyden brothers of England, three wealthy men who were substantial land proprietors in the area.

[2] In the 18th and 19th centuries, Black River was a busy seaport for the lucrative logwood trade and for exports of rum, pimento and cattle skins from the nearby Holland, Vineyard, and Fullerswood plantations.

The court rejected the owners' claim, as it was shown that the crew had made navigation errors that kept the ship at sea and threatened its supplies.

As a major sea port, Black River became a commercial center on the south coast of Jamaica.