Mechanics Bay
174^47’04”x 26^50’42”S
Opened 1940
Closed Sept 44
Meaning: named after the Bay where it was situated.
Named after the Engineers brought to NZ by the Government in the 1860’s
to build their new Capital of Auckland.
The Engineers and Mechanics settled here, while the next bay around was
Official Bay where the Government Officials settled.
Subsequent development has removed the bay, it was filled in when the Railway
lines were laid in late 1800’s.
The area remains a good beaching area for boats due to its shallow waters,
hence ideal for Flying Boats.
The first flying boat action was the International Flying Boats from Britain
and the USA.
From 1940 TEAL [Tasman Empire Airways Ltd] operated its two Short
Empire Flying Boats to and from Australia.
They were forced to operate from Mechanics bay because their purpose
built hanger an Hobsonville had been taken over by the RNZAF.
The Station was taken over early in the war from the existing civil port
facilities to form a Port Depot to control all the movement in and out of
the Port of Auckland Region of RNZAF Personnel and goods.
Civilian flats in the area were commandeered as accommodation for
transiting personnel.
Later in 1943 the Catalina’s began to use the base as an alighting area and
in 1944 when the Sunderlands arrived they also used the facilities as a mooring
and servicing point,
When the Station was closed No 1 Port Depot moved to Remuera and the
workshops and flats returned to civilian hands again.
After the war the area was used by civil and military aircraft.
After the military use faded the aviation was continued with the Grumman
Goose and Widgeon operations of Tourist Air Travel, then Mt Cook Airlines,
and finally Sea Bee Air.
The Auckland Rescue Helicopter is also based at Mechanics Bay.
Most of the wartime hangers were removed in the late 1960s most of which
were carefully dismantled and transported to the Museum Of Transport and
Technology for resurrection to provide covers for the displays there.
Units known to have been Stationed there
No 1 Port Depot Dec 44
No 1 Personnel Despatch Centre Dec 44
After a name change
In charge of all RNZAF movements of equipment and personnel in and out
of the Port of Auckland by ship,
As troop ships were the main form of transport to the Pacific war zone,
Canada, the USA and all other destinations airmen traveled to it was a busy
and important Station.
It later moved to Remuera in Sept 44
Flying Boat Transport Flight
Flying four Short Sunderland flying Boats on the transport route around the
pacific from Dec 1944 until after the end of the war.
This unit was based at Mechanics Bay, along with the TEAL Flying Boats.
Parnell
Opened Sept 44
When No 1 Port Depot moved from Mechanics Bay.
Closed
Meaning named after the Suburb of Auckland where it was,
Originally, probably named after Samuel Parnell a Builder and Labour
Reformer
Units known to have been Stationed there
Part of No 1 Port Depot
A transit Station for airmen going to or returning from overseas.
For personnel passing through No 1 Port Depot.
A series of, for the time, fairly modern flats on Brandon Street were
requisitioned and some warehouse space for storing equipment going
overseas.
One of the warehouses in Fox Street was blown up in 1969 by the activist
Bowers Brothers
Remuera
Opened Sep 1944
Closed
Meaning: taken from the suburb of Auckland that it was situated.
If spelt correctly, Remuwera means the burnt edge of a Flax Skirt
Units known to have been Stationed there
School of Medics
At the outbreak of war there were only 6 Medical Orderlies on the strength
of the RNZAF, 3 at Hobsonville and 3 at Wigram.
This number grew to 380, including 80 Airwomen, the first recruits were
interviewed by selection committees and preference was given to those
who had some Medical experience, either with St John or Army Medical Units.
After initial ground training the Medics were posted to Stations, where
instruction was given in conjunction with the course of their duties.
Some were enabled to attend local Hospitals for training as well.
When greater numbers were required special training courses were started in
April 1942 under the supervision of the Matron of Nursing Services.
A School was set up at Remuera where a fuller syllabus of training was
introduced and the course was extended to 6 weeks.
Subsequently, Medical Orderlies were required to undergo a six-monthly trade
test to qualify for higher rank.
Prior to being posted overseas all Medical Orderlies were required to
undergo a 4 week refresher course before their posting.
The US had a large Military Hospital in the area and the training may have
been done through there.
Later the RNZAF took over the hospital after the US moved out and it became
the accommodation for No 1 Port Depot for personnel going to or from the
Pacific Area.
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