Stirling Island (also Sterling Island) is the smaller island of the two mainTreasury Islands, which form part of theSolomon Islands.
Stirling is about four miles (6.4 km) long and located some 17 miles (27 km) south of Shortland. The estimated terrain elevation above sea level is 35 metres (115 ft).[1] Stirling Island is separated from the largestMono Island byBlanche Harbour.[2] Stirling Island is composed of coral which was once part of the barrier reef surroundingMono Island.
Stirling Island has no permanent population. However anairfield and other remnants ofWorld War IIAllied base still remain here.
After the Allied Forces landed on Stirling, it became evident that the island was perfect for an airfield because the island was naturally flat, coral surfaced, with fresh water and good landing beaches locating nearby. A reconnaissance team from the 87th Naval Construction Battalion "Seabees" arrived on Stirling on November 1, 1943, to study the site, and four days later filed a favorable report about the area. Based on this report, a construction of a bomber strip "W", originally planned forBougainville Island was initiated here.[3]
In May 2011, Solomon Islands Prime Minister Danny Phillip repeated offers to the Australian Government to make the disused air base available to host the processing of asylum seekers. It is believed that negotiations reached a reasonably advanced state before being discontinued.
| Central | |
|---|---|
| Choiseul | |
| Guadalcanal | |
| Isabel | |
| Makira-Ulawa | |
| Malaita | |
| Rennell and Bellona | |
| Temotu | |
| Western | |
7°24′43″S155°34′31″E / 7.411944°S 155.575278°E /-7.411944; 155.575278
 | ThisSolomon Islands location article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byadding missing information. |
