Harwich - Remarkable Events
Remarkable events:- On Sept. 24th 1326, Isabel, queen of
Edward II., landed here with 2700 soldiers, and many foreign and
English nobles, in rebellion against the king, whom she pursued
from place to place. In 1340, Edward III. sailed from this port,
with a numerous fleet and army, to assert his right to the crown
of France, but returned unsuccessful. Being informed that a French
fleet of 400 sail was waiting near Sluys, to intercept him, he
collected 260 stout ships, with which he sailed to Sluys harbour,
where an obstinate and bloody battle was fought, in which the
English gained a complete victory; 30,000 of the French being
killed, and 200 of their ships taken. In 1543, Henry VIII visited
Harwich, to survey that part of his navy then stationed here.
In March, 1558, the Corporation prepared for the reception of
Philip of Spain, who married Queen Mary, but his arrival is not
recorded. During Mary's reign (June 15th. 1555) Wm. Bamford, Thos.
Watts, and four other martyrs, were burnt here, after
being condemned at Colchester. On 12th. of August, 1561, Queen
Elizabeth was here, and accepted an entertainment from the
burgesses, lodging several days at a house in High street. In
October, 1666, Charles II came from Newmarket to Landguard Fort,
and to Harwich, accompanied by several distinguised noblemen.
About this time, his Majesty caused two sloops to be built here,
of a small draught of water, to clear the sands before the harbour,
then much infested by small Dutch picaroons. The famous
naval fight, which took place in June, 1666, between the
Dutch and English fleets, were distinctly seen from the Deacon hill.
William III was twice at Harwich, on his passage to and from Holland;
and George I and II were several times here on their jouneys
to and from the continent. On Dec. 3rd., 1728m Frederick Prince
of Wales, father of George III, landed here incog., and went to
London the same day. On Sept. 6th., 1761, Lord Anson, with the
squadron having Charlotte, the intended queen of England,
on board, anchored in Harwich road. She slept on board that night,
and landing next morning, was received by the mayor and aldermen
with the usual formalities. Great floods have sometimes
occured here at high tides, of which the most remarkable was in
1723, when the water ran through West street, deep enough for boats
to row upon it. On January 3rd. 1784 at the ebb tide, the water
sunk so low that a shoal called the Gristle was dry 112
yards in length and 12 in breadth, and there were discovered upon
it the foundations of a castle and fortifications. On April 18th.,
1807, a detachment of the 79th. Highland regiment, after distinguishing
themselves in Eygpt, arrived at Landguard Fort, and being put aboard
a crazy vessel, to cross the harbour for Harwich, the vessel sunk,
and the captain, 73 privates, 13 women, 8 children, and 3 sailors,
were drowned.
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