The Kingdom of Tonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga, is an independent constitutional
monarchy in the South Pacific Ocean. It comprises some 170 islands, of
which the three main groups are Tongatapu, Haapai, and Vavau. Nuku'alofa,
on Tongatapu, is the capital. Named the Friendly Islands by Capt. James
Cook, Tonga became a British protectorate in 1900, but remained internally
self-governing. A new treaty in 1968 reduced British control, and Tonga
became fully independent in 1970. King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV (1965-) is the
head of state and also dominates the national legislature, which consists
of the king's cabinet, nine noble members, and nine commoners. Tonga
covers an area of some 699 sq km (270 sq mi) and has a population of
107,335 (1997). The islands are located north-east of New Zealand and
south of Hawaii.
Tonga
Where is Tong? To find where Tong is located in the South Pacific,
just click on this link to the Map of Oceania and look up longitude 175°W
and latitude 20°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: Can carry 2 x 7.62 mm MGs
Complement: 17
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
P201 Neiafu 30/10/89 Active, Nuku'alofa.
P202 Pangai 30/6/90 Active, Nuku'alofa.
P203 Savea 23/3/91 Active, Nuku'alofa.
Note: Built as hull numbers 9, 11 & 13 by Australian Shipbuilding
Industries (WA) Pty Ltd, for the Australian Government, as part of the
South Pacific Forum's Defence Co-operation Programme. Savea has a
Hydrographic Survey capability.
Displacement (tons): 15 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): 45 x 13 x 3.8 (13.7 x 4 x 1.2m)
Propulsion: 2 x Cummins V8 diesels, ???? hp, 2 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 21
Armament: 2 x Browning 12.7mm MGs
Complement: 7
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
P101 Ngahau Koula 10/3/73 Retired 1991.
P102 Ngahau Siliva 10/5/76 Retired 1992.
Note: Built by Brooke Marine, Lowestoft, UK.
Lomipeau Class Coastal Tanker
Displacement (tons): 4,050 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): 272.2 x 45.6 x 19 (83 x 13.9 x 5.8m)
Propulsion: 2 x Normo LSMC-8 diesels, 2050 hp, 1 shaft
Max. Speed (knots): 12
Armament: none
Cargo: 2500 cubic metres
Complement: 28
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
A301 Lomipeau 1995 Ex-Punaruu, ex-Bow Cecil.
(ex-A632) Active, Nuku'alofa.
Note: Built in Norway and originally commissioned on 16 November 1971.
Transferred from France on 1 October 1995 after being modified in Tahiti.
US Type LCM8
Displacement (tons): 116 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): 73.5 x 21 x 3.3 (22.4 x 6.4 x 1m)
Propulsion: 2 x Detroit 12V-71 diesels, 680 hp, 2 shafts
Max. Speed (knots): 10
Armament: none
Lift Capacity (tons): 60
Complement: 5
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
C315? Late 1/9/82 Ex-Australian Army (AB1057).
Active, Nuku'alofa.
Note: Built by North Queensland Engineering Australia Ltd, Cairns.
Royal Yacht
Displacement (tons): 10 Full Load
Dimensions (feet): 34 x 9.8 x 3.3 (10.4 x 3 x 1m)
Propulsion: 1 Ford diesel, 1 shaft.
Max. Speed (knots): 8
Complement: 4
No. Name Commissioned Notes/Fate
-- Titilupe pre 1993 Active, Nuku'alofa.
Note: Built by ? Also used as a patrol craft.
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Copyright � 1 January, 2003,
Terry M. Walsh,
All rights reserved.