Solomon Islands
The Solomon Islands, an independent Commonwealth nation, comprises
Guadalcanal and other islands and atolls across the South West Pacific
Ocean. The extreme north-western islands in the chain, Bougainville and
Buka, are part of Papua New Guinea. The capital, Honiara, is located on
Guadalcanal.The inhabitants are largely Melanesians although there are
Polynesians on some outlying atolls. Over a hundred languages are spoken,
and a Melanesian pidgin is the lingua franca.The Islands cover 29,785 sq km
(11,600 sq mi) with the land area stretching in a 1,450 km (900 mi) chain
to the east of Papua New Guinea and north of New Zealand. Its population
was 426,855 (1997).
The Solomon Islands
Where is Solomon Islands? To find where Solomon Islands is located in the
South West Pacific, just click on this link to the Map of Oceania and look
up longitude 160°E and latitude 10°S.
Pacific Class Large Patrol Boat
Displacement (tons): 162 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): 103.3 x 26.6 x 6.9 (31.5 x 8.1 x 2.1m)
Propulsion: 2 x Caterpillar 3516TA diesels, 2,820 hp, 2 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 20
Armament: 3 x 7.62mm MGs
Complement: 14
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
03 Lata 7/7/88 Active.
04 Auki 2/11/91 Active.
Note: Built as hull numbers 5 & 15 by Australian Shipbuilding Industries
(WA) Pty Ltd, for the Australian Government, as part of the South Pacific
Forum's Defence Co-operation Programme.
Prototype Pacific Class Large Patrol Boat
Displacement (tons): 140 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): 82 x 25.8 x 6.2 (25 x 7.9 x 1.9m)
Propulsion: 2 x Caterpillar 3512TA diesels, 2,000 hp, 2 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 36
Armament: none
Complement: 14
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
02 Savo 1984 Ex-Pioneer. Retired 1998.
Note: Prototype built by Australian Shipbuilding Industries (WA) Pty Ltd,
for the Australian Government, as part of the South Pacific Forum's
Defence Co-operation Programme.
Carpentaria Class Small Patrol Boat
Displacement (tons): 27 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): 51.5 x 15.7 x 4.3 (15.7 x 4.8 x 1.3m)
Propulsion: 2 x GM Detroit 12V 71TA diesels, 840 hp, 2 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 28
Armament: none
Complement: 10
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
01 Tulagi 1/5/79 Active.
Note: Built by Hawker De Havilland Patrol Boats, Sydney, New South Wales.
Operated by Department of Fisheries.
Landing Craft
Displacement (tons): 105 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): ? x ? x ? (27 x ? x ?m)
Propulsion: 2 x diesels, ??? hp, 2 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 9
Armament: none
Complement: n/a
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
-- Ligomo 3 1981 Active?
-- Ulusage 1981 Active?
Note: Built by Carpenter Boat Yard, Suva in 1981.
Tugs
Displacement (tons): 140 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): ? x ? x ? (27 x ? x ?m)
Propulsion: 1 x diesel?, ??? hp, 1 shaft?
Max. Speed (knots): 9
Armament: none
Complement: n/a
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
-- Soloman Atu 1981 Active?
-- Soloman Kariqua 1981 Active?
Note: Built by Carpenter Boat Yard, Suva in 1981.
LCU
1 x LCU deleted in 1989.
(Back To Top)
Tonga 
Samoa
Back to Main Page
Copyright � 1 January, 2003,
Terry M. Walsh,
All rights reserved.