Here stands the HMAS Waterhen Plaque a reminder of naval history. HMAS Waterhen is a Royal Australian Navy base. It is located in Waverton on Sydney’s lower north shore. The base resides within Sydney Harbour in New South Wales.
HMAS Waterhen has a rich history. It began as a quarry in the 1930s. The quarry expanded Garden Island. During World War II, the site became a boom net maintenance area. It also served as a storage location. In 1962, the area was commissioned as a naval base. It became home to the RAN’s mine warfare forces.
HMAS Waterhen was the first small-ship base established by the RAN. From 1969 to 1979, it also managed the RAN’s patrol boat forces. Before the 1930s, the land was a large hill overlooking Balls Head Bay. Sandstone was quarried to construct a graving dock. A land bridge connected Garden Island to the mainland at Potts Point. This dramatically altered the geography.
During World War II, fibro buildings were erected. The site stored spare netting for the Sydney Harbour anti-submarine boom net. The area was under military control from March 15, 1943. It remained so until the end of the war. Initially, control was shared between the Royal Australian Navy and the United States Navy.
After the war, the site reverted to storage. In the early 1960s, it was chosen as the base for the RAN’s minesweeping forces. These forces included six ex-Royal Navy Ton-class minesweepers. A Clearance Diving Team was also stationed here. The base commander oversaw these forces.
HMAS Waterhen was commissioned on December 5, 1962. It was the first small-ship base established by the RAN. Facilities were minimal at first. The River class frigate HMAS Culgoa served as a barracks ship. It was located at the northern wharf from December 1952 to June 1971.
In March 1969, the base’s role expanded. It included command of the RAN’s patrol boat forces. This followed the introduction of the Attack class of patrol boats. The base commander became Commander Australian Mine Warfare and Patrol Boat Forces. In 1979, the command roles were divided again. Patrol boat forces command moved to HMAS Cairns in Queensland.
The 1980s saw an attempted upgrade. The Bay-class minehunters were developed. The first two ships HMA Ships Rushcutter and Shoalwater were assigned to Waterhen. However, problems with their sonar and seakeeping ability arose. The other four ships were cancelled. The RAN relied on minesweeper auxiliaries converted from civilian vessels. These were also based at Waterhen. This continued until the Huon-class minehunters arrived in the late 1990s.
In 1994, the RAN recognized the need to upgrade facilities at HMAS Waterhen. From December 1994 to December 1996, the entire base was levelled. New buildings, wharves, and facilities were installed. The upgrade cost A$70 million. It was completed eight months ahead of schedule.
Today, HMAS Waterhen remains vital. It houses the Australian Navy Mine Warfare and Clearance Diving Group. This group includes Clearance Diving Team One. It also includes Huon-class minehunters such as HMAS Huon HMAS Gascoyne and HMAS Diamantina. Several minor war vessels and support vessels are based here. These include Diving Tender Seal and navigation training vessel Seahorse Mercator.
HMAS Waterhen is also a base for minor war vessels. They visit or operate temporarily from Sydney. The base played a role in television too. The first season of Sea Patrol was filmed at Waterhen. The base represented a fictional Australian naval base.
HMAS Waterhen stands as a testament to naval history. It has evolved from a quarry to a vital naval base. The base supports Australia’s mine warfare and clearance diving capabilities. It is a reminder of the dedication and service of the Royal Australian Navy.