Prior to the war, the British Navy had surveyed the Tulagi anchorage, and recommended moving the Royal Navy's Asian Fleet here, a recommendation that was never acted upon.

During World War II, this area became the main anchorage for US Navy ships during the battle of Guadalcanal and buildup afterwards until the end of the war. Several ships were sunk in the April 7, 1943 air raid (Japanese Operation I-Go) and other incidents.

USS Aaron Ward DD-483
Sunk on April 7, 1943 by Japanese air attack, Operation I-Go

USS Kanawha (AO-1)
Sunk on April 7, 1943 by Japanese air attack, Operation I-Go

HMNZS Moa
Sunk on April 7, 1943 by Japanese air attack, Operation I-Go

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

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Last Updated
October 6, 2009