Harwich is one of the principal English ports for continental passenger traffic, steamers regularly serving the Hook of Holland, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Antwerp, Esbjerg, Copenhagen and Hamburg.
The port is the headquarters of the Royal Harwich Yacht Club.
There are batteries at and opposite Harwich, and modern works on Shotley Point, at the fork of the two estuaries.
Harwich (Herewica, Herewyck) cannot be shown to have been inhabited very early, although in the 18th century remains of a camp, possibly Roman, existed there.
Harwich formed part of the manor of Dovercourt.