Chatham Saw Mill in Andaman Islands

The Chatham saw mill is one of the oldest saw mills in Asia. It is built on a tiny island and connected to Port Blair by a bridge. It is a store house of timber varieties like, Padauk, Gurjan, Marble, Satin wood etc. The Chatham Island has the second largest wharf of these islands where island-mainland ships can berth. Within the saw mill compound is a museum showcasing the various timber wealth of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The museum offers an insight in to forest activities through scale models and display decorative pieces made of Padauk, Marble, Gurjan, Satin wood etc. Chatham saw mill is closed on Sundays and Industrial Holidays.

Chatham Saw Mill is the saw mill situated in Chatham Island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in India. It was set up in 1883 with the primary objective to meet the local requirements of saw and timber for the constructional works. It is owned by the state government. It is Asia’s largest and oldest saw mill.

Tucked away at the far end of the plot, the saw mill is missed by most who do not know about it (or do not ask about it). Once spotted, it is not hard to see why it is the largest saw mill. Though not a treat to the ears, taking a look inside the mill and following the journey of wood- from being brought in on boats, sorted, cut and stored in warehouses to being transformed into final wooden planks and sent to various destinations- is an interesting experience that one shouldn’t miss. The bomb pit here, though not much to see, tells another not-so-industrious story of the darker days that the saw mill has seen. In 1942, during the World War II, the mill fell victim to British bombs. A pit was thus created which is now filled with water.The Forest Museum maintained by the Forest Department is a helpful guide to the curious soul.It also has on display wood carvings made of padauk wood, wooden furniture and other woodwork showpieces like balancing dolls and salt water crocodiles.