Hifoua is a schooner that served as the yacht of Queen Tonga Salote Tupou III .
| Hifofua | |
|---|---|
 Schooner Postage Stamp | |
| Flag |  Tonga |
| Ship class and type | schooner / royal yacht |
| Launched | 1927 |
| Status | Unknown |
| Main characteristics | |
| Displacement | 108 tons |
| Length | 26.2 m |
| Width | 5.5 m |
| Draft | 2.4 m |
| Engines | 6 cylinder diesel company Gardner |
| Power | 125 hp |
| Travel speed | 7.5 knots with remote control |
| Crew | 14 |
| Register tonnage | 180 passengers during use as a passenger vessel. Up to 40 as a royal yacht. |
History
It was built in 1927 by Bailey and Low, in Auckland, New Zealand. Soon after construction bought by the government of Tonga.
Construction
Its body is made of cowry wood (the royal palace was built from it). Sailing equipment on two masts (grotto and mizzan). Since 1947, diesel Gardner has been installed on the ship.
Service
It was used on the route between the islands, Vava'u and Nivatoputapu with occasional visits to Nivafo. After the Second World War, in connection with the increasing role of Tonga in the Pacific region, the vessel was often used as the yacht of Queen Salote Tupou III . On which she made trips between the islands of the archipelago, as well as the islands of Fiji.
Further fate
According to some data, the ship was sold in 1959, according to others only in 1972 after the death of the queen. But in any case, the buyer is in Fiji and the ship was used as a tourist vessel. Since the mid -1980s, the role of the royal yacht on Tonga has been performed by the Titilupe boat.
Sources
- (eng.) Aoniu and Hifofua
- [one]