Home » Themes » Conflict » World War Two
40th Anniversary of H.M.A.S. CastlemainePrint Page 
The plaque commemorates the 40th anniversary of H.M.A.S. Castlemaine which was launched on the 7th August 1941.
H.M.A.S. Castlemaine was one of sixty Australian minesweepers (corvettes) built in Australia during World War Two and was launched at Williamstown on 7 August 1941. The corvettes were versatile ships capable of performing a range of tasks including convoy escort, anti-submarine, surveying, and troop transport duties. During this period there was considerable concern about Japan attacking Australia, and the use of corvettes was a useful defence mechanism as they were able to lay depth charges to destroy enemy submarines.
Location
| Address: | Syme Street, Gem Pier, Williamstown, 3018 |
|---|---|
| State: | VIC |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -37.860977 Long: 144.905727 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Plaque |
|---|---|
| Monument Theme: | Conflict |
| Sub-Theme: | WW2 |
| Actual Event Start Date: | 07-August-1941 |
| Actual Event End Date: | 07-August-1981 |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Saturday 24th October, 1981 |
|---|
H. M. A. S. Castlemaine
Minesweeper / Corvette
Built for the Commonwealth of Australia by the Melbourne Harbor Trust Commissioners at Williamstown Dockyard, Victoria.
Launched 7th August 1941 by Mrs. R. G. Menzies
Commissioned 17 June 1942
Castlemaine served with distinction in the northern waters of Australia, Timor, New Guinea, Pacific Islands, the Philippines, China Sea and Jong Kong during the Second World War.
Together with other ships of the Royal Australian Navy and Allied Forces she helped protect the shores of Australia from the enemy.
Castlemaine is preserved as an historic museum vessel and is part of Australia`s heritage to honour ships and men of the Navy for the benefit of future generations by the Maritime Trust of Australia.
This plaque was unveiled by Dame Pattie Menzies G. B. E. on the 24th October 1981 to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the launching by her of H. M. A. S. Castlemaine on 7th August 1941.
Plaque :
H. M. A. S. Castlemaine is registered by the Heritage Council of Victoria
The H. M. A. S. Castlemaine is the only known intact World War II naval ship in Victoria, and one of only two remaining Bathurst-class Minesweepers in Australia. Carefully restored, it offers rare first-hand insight into the wartime experiences of some 15,000 Allied servicemen who served on Bathurst-class Minesweepers between 1940 and 1945.
Victorian Heritage Register Number H2407
