Location
The Segond Channel is located between southern Espiritu Santo bordering Luganville (Santo) and Aore Island. To the east is Million Dollar Point and Scorff Passage with the safe shipping approach for vessels into Segond Channel. To the southeast is Tutuba Island.

Wartime History
During the war, this area was used as a seaplane takeoff area for Lunganville Seaplane Base. The channel has very clear water visibility.

On August 1, 1942 US Navy destroyers USS Gamble, USS Breese and USS Tracy laid a defensive mine field off the entrance to Segond Channel. Later that same day, USS Tucker (DD-374) accidentally struck a mine, unaware it had been laid and sunk three days later. Later, on October 26, 1942 SS President Coolidge accidentally struck two mines and sank.

Lunganville Seaplane Base
Located on Espiritu Santo, seaplanes used Segond Channel for takeoffs and landings

Unidentified Aircraft Wreck
Local dive operators take divers to a WWII bomber wreck.

PBY-5 Catalina NZ4013
Water looped October 11, 1944 towed by sunk in deep water

SS President Coolidge
Sunk October 26, 1942 accidental collision with U.S. sea mine

Million Dollar Point
At the end of the Pacific War, American forces dumped millions of dollars worth of equipment into the sea at this location to the east of Segond Channel.

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Last Updated
April 27, 2020