Harwich Museum

Harwich Museum No dogs allowed except Assistance dogs

Whether you drop in for half an hour or half a day, there is plenty to explore, whatever your age and interests and many of you will be taking a walk down memory lane.

Our latest acquisition to the museum.Koningin JulianaBuilt. 1968 (IMO 6808806)Yard. Cammell LairdClass of Ship. Passenge...
01/06/2026

Our latest acquisition to the museum.

Koningin Juliana
Built. 1968 (IMO 6808806)
Yard. Cammell Laird
Class of Ship. Passenger Ferry
Operator. SMZ
Route. Harwich – Hook of Holland 1968-1994
Length. 131 m
Gross Tonnage. 6682
Passengers. 1200
Speed. 21 Knots
Status. Sank 1998

Built in 1967 by Cammell Laird of Birkenhead as Koningin Juliana for Stoomvaart Maatschappij Zeeland of the Netherlands, it was used on the Harwich to Hook of Holland route until 1984 until sold to Navarma Lines and renamed Moby Prince.

Fire

At 22:03 on April 10, 1991, the Moby Prince left Livorno, heading to Olbia for a regular service, manned by a complement of 65 crew and 75 passengers. The ship was commanded by Ugo Chessa. While taking the usual dedicated route out of the harbour, the ferry’s prow struck the Agip Abruzzo, which was standing at anchor, and sliced through its tank number 7. The tank was filled with 2700 tons of Iranian light crude oil. At 22:25, the ferry’s radio operator broadcast a Mayday from the portable VHF transmitter.

The charred hull was moored at Livorno until 17 May 1998, when she made water and sank.

The rusty wreckage was later raised and towed to Aliaga, Turkey to be scrapped.

Harwich Museum opening times 2026.

4th March – 29th November
10am – 4pm
Last entry 3pm

29/05/2026

Hi-de-Hi! celebration.

26th April 2026.
Some 60 fans – new and old, came along to be entertained with a meet and greet with the guests, to hear their stories, have their questions answered and reminisce an chuckle over various film clips. We were also treated to some news about a new project entitled James & Ivy – a spin off of another popular Perry & Croft show You Rang, M’Lord?

‘About Anglia is filming for a feature on David Croft comedies which includes Hi-de-Hi! This was mainly filmed at Warner...
26/05/2026

‘About Anglia is filming for a feature on David Croft comedies which includes Hi-de-Hi! This was mainly filmed at Warner Holiday Camp in Dovercourt and around the town with some episodes featuring local school children.

If you were one of the children that appeared they would like to interview you about your experience.
Please contact the museum directly, if you are willing to take part, so we can pass your contact details on to Anglia Television.’

On this Day 1905.Only a few people knew the precise details of King Edward VII's visit, The King arrived at Dovercourt ...
19/05/2026

On this Day 1905.
Only a few people knew the precise details of King Edward VII's visit, The King arrived at Dovercourt Railway Station at 4.18pm and was formally greeted by Colonel Coke of the Norfolk Military.

The party then proceeded to the Alexandra Hotel where he could not have failed to have been impressed by Queen Victoria's statue looking down on him.

The High Street Dovercourt had grown considerably since 1900. All of the houses have become shops, partly due to the old...
12/05/2026

The High Street Dovercourt had grown considerably since 1900.
All of the houses have become shops, partly due to the old established Harwich shop owners looking to the future and either moving their premises to Dovercourt or owning shops in both towns.

Once, in the days of button-up boots, Iron Jelloids, Syrup of figs and five Wild Woodbines in a paper packet for two pence, Dovercourt had shops with counters, not checkpoints.

They were owned by shop-keepers who knew every customer by name, not by purveyors of merchandise who know their customers only as consumer outlets.

Even those who have known Dovercourt High-street for many years may find it difficult to keep track of all the changes that are now taking place rapidly.

On this Day 1941.Soon after 1 a.m. hundreds of incendiary bombs fell all over the town, producing many small fires, but ...
09/05/2026

On this Day 1941.
Soon after 1 a.m. hundreds of incendiary bombs fell all over the town, producing many small fires, but only one serious one which resulted in the complete destruction of C.H. Bernard & Sons factory in Harwich.

The admiralty issued a priority licence and five months later the factory had been rebuilt.

Address

Anglia House, Main Road
Harwich
CO123FN

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

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