Maidstone is six miles downstream from where the River Medway, having flowed in a generally west-east direction, is joined by the Rivers Teise and Beult at Yalding and changes its course to a northerly one. It cuts through the ridge formed by the greensand, so that the town occupies a site on two opposite hills, the easterly one containing the town centre. Beyond that, and higher, is Penenden Heath. The River Len joins the Medway at Maidstone. Though a short river, it provided the water to drive numerous watermills. The Loose Stream, which rises at Langley and joins at Tovil, once
HMS Maidstone (1937) the land, entry to the jetty being guarded by sand-bagged army emplacements. "Maidstone" was also notable for a successful escape by seven Provisional IRA members on 17January 1972. The men swam close to through icy water and evaded army and police only to later hold a press conference. On 23 May 1978 "Maidstone" was broken up for scrap at the Thos W Ward scrapyard in Inverkeithing. HMS Maidstone (1937) HMS "Maidstone" was a submarine depot ship of the Royal Navy. She was built to support the increasing numbers of submarines, especially on distant stations, such as the Mediterranean and the