The station was formed, following the capture of Jamaica, by assembling about a dozen frigates in 1655.

[2] Its main objectives in the early years were to defend Jamaica and to harass Spanish ports and shipping.

[3] In the late 1720s three successive commanders of the station lost their lives to tropical diseases while undertaking a Blockade of Porto Bello during the Anglo-Spanish War.

A report to the Admiralty in 1749 found that the hospital was "rather a hurt to the [Navy] Service than a Relief.

Part of the station now houses the headquarters of the Jamaica Defence Coast Guard (HMJS Cagway, Port Royal); the rest is being restored as part of the Port Royal Heritage Tourism Project.