The Chatham Saw Mill in the small Chatham Island of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is among the biggest and largest sawmills in Asia. Established in 1883 under British rule, the mill had its fair share of setbacks when it was bombed by the Japanese. Yet today, it stands in its place firmly as if nothing happened. It has become a place of great interest to many people as visitors can learn about wood processing and manufacturing. The Chatham sawmill houses a museum with wooden crafts artistically made by skilled artists so visitors can learn about the mill’s history too.
Chatham Saw Mill History Till The Present
The Chatham Saw Mill has an illustrious history. It all started when there was a lack of sawn timber that was used for construction in 1883. The British Colonial Rule decided to build a sawmill, which is when Chatham Saw Mill in Andaman was established. Second-hand machines were brought in and installed in the sawmill. At the time, skilled people were not available so they used unskilled people who did the job. During the Second World War, some bombs directly hit the sawmill, causing substantial damage. This led to an immediate stoppage of the sawmill work.
By the 1940s, the government restored the sawmill using second-hand machinery already in it. This task continued till the 1950s even though problems kept cropping up due to the efficiency of the machines. The machines were eventually replaced with better ones as the demand for sawn timber increased due to people moving to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The number of skilled workers also replaced the unskilled people. While the best quality logs are sent to industries that use wood, logs with sponges, knots, splits, and shakes are brought to the Chatham Saw Mill.
At the start of the establishment, the sawmill had an annual intake capacity of 20,000 cum of logs. However, as the number of logs decreased over the years, the number has been brought down to a maximum of 13,000 cum of logs yearly. Of this, up to 6,000 cum of logs are manufactured for sawn timber. The Andaman and Nicobar Administration decides a fixed price to sell the sawn timber to the local industries. This price setting is done yearly.
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Activities At Chatham Saw Mill In Andaman
You can enjoy the following activities at the Chatham Saw Mill in Andaman.
1. Visiting Chatham Saw Mill
The Chatham Saw Mill lets you tour the operational sawmill on Chatham Island. Around 1000 workers work at the various departments of the government sawmill in Andaman. When you tour the mill, you will witness all the stages of wood processing. From an entire log being put inside the machine to the finished product coming out of the other end, processing as the whole part is rather interesting for industry buffs. You can also hire a professional guide for in-depth explanations.
2. Museum
Located in the Chatham Saw Mill complex is the sawmill museum. It is also called Forest Museum and Forest Museum Chatham. The museum houses some of the best works of artisans who are experts at crafting wood into the most beautiful pieces. They used satinwood, Gurjan wood, padauk wood, and marble wood to create these works of art. You will learn about Andaman and Nicobar’s timber and sawmill industry history. You will witness the various forest activities that occur in the form of wood models.
Timings
The Chatham Saw Mill and Chatham Museum’s opening times are the same, so if you miss the tour of the mill, you will also miss out on the amazing museum inside the sawmill. The opening times and working days for both are as follows.
Timings: 10 am to 2 pm
Opening days: Monday to Saturday
Closing days: Sunday and all industrial holidays
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Ticket Price
The Chatham Saw Mill ticket price is quite low compared to other museums. You can get entry by looking around the Chatham Saw Mill and the Museum by yourself or hiring a guide to better understand the sawmill. Here are the rates for both plans.
Entry fee: INR 10 per person
Guided tour: INR 50
Location Of Chatham Saw Mill
You can easily reach Port Blair in Chatham Island in the South Andaman District. It is just 10.9 km from the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Chatham Island is connected by a bridge over the sea, which makes for an exciting journey. The nearest major airport is the Veer Savarkar International Airport, 7.2 km from the sawmill. You can hire cabs from the airport or opt for a tuk-tuk (another name for an autorickshaw).
Suggested Read: Hotels And Resorts In Port Blair
Best Time To Visit
It is best to visit any part of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands from October to May before the peak summer season starts. The weather will be pleasant and relaxed so you can enjoy excursions, sightseeing, and adventure watersports. It is best to avoid going in Monsoons; from July to September as there are high tides, many sightseeing locations are temporarily closed, and rains are unpredictable.
Tips When Visiting Chatham Saw Mill
Keep the following tips in mind when visiting the Government Chatham Saw Mill.
- Expect to be among the sawdust a lot. Wearing a protective mask is better if you suffer from breathing issues or dust allergies.
- As the sawmill and museum have limited opening hours, arriving closer to the opening time is better. This will give you time to check every exhibit.
- Be mindful when you enter the sawmill. Many workers are there. Observing and letting them do their work is best rather than interrupting them.
- You should not litter in the sawmill or museum area when you visit. Throw litter in the dustbins to keep the island surroundings clean and tidy.
Further Read: Beach Resorts In Port Blair
Chatham Saw Mill is among the best places to visit on Chatham Island so ensure you visit it on your trip to Andaman and Nicobar Islands! Chatham Saw Mill is an offbeat destination as not many tourists visit it but its rich history and incredible woodwork showcased in the museum is a treat to the eyes. Go with your loved ones and visit the nearby attractions for the best trip to the dreamy islands of Andaman.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Chatham Saw Mill
Who owns the Chatham Saw Mill?
It is owned and operated by the Andaman and Nicobar Islands State Government. The Deputy Conservator of Forests looks after the complex of the entire sawmill.
Is the bomb pit still present at the mill site?
Yes, visitors can see the pit where the bomb fell. It is currently filled with water.
What is the other name of Chatham Sawmill?
It is also known as Government Saw Mill or Government Saw Mill Chatham.
When was the museum in Chatham sawmill built?
It was established in 2006 by the Environment and Forest Department of Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Who uses the sawn timber from the Chatham Saw Mill in Andaman?
They are used for government requirements, public works, furniture stores, etc.
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