Location
Tulagi Harbor is located between Tulagi Island to the south, Macambo Island to the southeast and Florida Island (Nggela Sule, Big Gela) to the north. Borders Iron Bottom Sound to the south. Also known as "Tulagi Roads" or "Tulagi Anchorage".

Prewar
Prior to the war, the Royal Navy surveyed Tulagi Harbor as a possibile anchorage for the Royal Navy Asian Fleet and recommended developing the location into a naval base but the recommendation was never acted upon.

Wartime History
On August 7, 1942 Tulagi Harbor was occupied by U. S. forces and was developed into one of the main anchorages for US Navy (USN) warships and vessels during Guadalcanal campaign and as a staging base for further operations in the Solomon Islands.

During the American occupation, Tulagi PT Boat Base was established with two locations: Sesapi on Tulagi Island and Macambo Island. Shore facilities were built on Florida Island (Nggela Sule, Big Gela). Used by the Allies until the end of the Pacific War.

On April 7, 1943 during "Operation I-GO " Japanese aircraft attacked the Tulagi anchorage and sank HMNZS Moa (T233), USS Kanawha (AO-1) and USS Aaron Ward (DD-483).

PBY-5 Catalina Bureau Number 08246
Crashed in the Tulagi area, crew KIA

Contribute Information
Do you have photos or additional information to add?

Last Updated
July 9, 2020