HMAS Maitland (Naval Depot)

HMAS Maitland was a shore based Naval Depot located in the area behind Horseshoe Beach and Nobby’s Beach, Newcastle. The naval depot was built alongside the army establishment Camp Shortland.

The naval depot was linked to HMAS Penguin in Sydney and was originally known as HMAS Penguin (III). HMAS Penguin (III) was renamed HMAS Maitland on 1 August 1940.

The following ships were asscoiated with HMAS Maitland.
* Group 77 Minesweepers AMA FY.81 HMAS Bermagui, HMAS Uki and AMA HMAS Narani
* Examination Service carried out by HMAS Adele

HMAS Maitland was comprised of three components:-
* the training ship T.S Tobruk
* Newcastle Customs House and
* the military establishment on Shepherd's Hill]

On 8 June 1942, Japanese submarine I-21 under the command of Captain Kanji Matsumura, shelled Newcastle. HMAS Maitland and its attached vessels were involved in responding to this Japanese attack on Newcastle.

HMAS Maitland was decommissioned on 21 September 1946.

During HMAS Maitland’s operation during World War 2, 56 Officers and 300 men were trained at the facility.

References

* Not just a stone frigate: HMAS Maitland Newcastle, New South Wales F&J Rice 2006
* Royal Australian Navy A - Z Ships, Aircraft and Shore Establishments by J.H. Straczek