Castle Harbour.
Incredible as it may sound, the town had no harbour at that time. For part of the 16th and 17th centuries Kronborg Castle had a small harbour which had over the years become silted up and the site subsequently used for the extended fortification works.

Quays.
Since ancient times, Helsingør had had a number of jetties or quays of which Toldbodbroen (the Tollbooth Quay) or Byens Broe (the Town Quay) was the oldest and most important. Further westwards was Byefogdens Broe (the Bailiffs' Quay) or Engelske Broe (the English Quay) at the main gates of the town opposite what is now known as Hovedvagtsstræde.

The first harbour
A small harbour was first built in 1764-67, when the old Toldbodbro (the Tollbooth Quay) was tripled in length to 186 feet long and an additional 150-ft. south pier was built. The north pier at 136 feet was an extension of the harbour road, Havnegade. The dock was relatively small and was located on the site of the current ferry berths.

Sundtoldkvarteret (the Sound Toll Quarter) c. 1800. The modest harbour was constructed in 1764-67. Øresunds Toldkammer (the Øresund Customs House) on the right was built in 1740-42 while the town's tollbooth (on the left) was built in 1781. The map is based in part on Christopher Lønborg's not always accurate town plan of 1803, now housed at Helsingør Bymuseum (the Helsingør Museum).

The harbour was funded by the Government but was handed over to Helsingør City Fathers on 21 December 1767 for subsequent maintenance.

It was of course universally agreed that the harbour was a great asset to the town, but it was also agreed that the harbour was too small and far too shallow to allow large ships to bring their cargo right in.

  History of the Port - part 1
  History of the Port - part 2
  History of the Port - part 3
  History of the Port - part 4
  History of the Port - part 5