HMAS Maitland (naval base)

HMAS Maitland was a shore-based naval depot located in the area behind Horseshoe Beach and Nobby's Beach, in Newcastle, New South Wales. The naval depot was built alongside the army establishment Camp Shortland. The naval depot was linked to HMAS Kuttabul in Sydney, and was originally known as HMAS Penguin (III). The base was renamed HMAS Maitland on 1 August 1940.

Maitland had three components:

• the Australian Navy Cadets group, Training Ship Tobruk
• Newcastle Customs House and
• the military establishment on Shepherd's Hill

The following ships were associated with Maitland.

• The Group 77 Minesweepers: HMAS Bermagui, HMAS Uki, and HMAS Narani
• The examination vessel HMAS Adele

Maitland was decommissioned on 21 September 1946. During her operation, 56 officers and 300 sailors 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