Nullam dignissim, ante scelerisque the is euismod fermentum odio sem semper the is erat, a feugiat leo urna eget eros. Duis Aenean a imperdiet risus.
Nullam dignissim, ante scelerisque the is euismod fermentum odio sem semper the is erat, a feugiat leo urna eget eros. Duis Aenean a imperdiet risus.
Plan your Andaman holiday with local experts based in Port Blair
Most visitors to Port Blair focus on the Cellular Jail and Ross Island when exploring the city's historical side. But tucked away on Chatham Island, connected to Port Blair by a narrow bridge, stands a landmark that tells a completely different chapter of Andaman's history. The Chatham Saw Mill has been operational since 1883 and continues to function today making it one of the oldest and largest working saw mills in all of Asia. It is history you can see, hear and feel in motion.
Chatham Saw Mill is located on Chatham Island, a small island connected to Port Blair by a 100 metre bridge and approximately 4 kilometres from the city centre. Established by the British in 1883, the mill was built with the primary purpose of processing timber for use across the Andaman Islands and beyond.
What makes Chatham Saw Mill genuinely remarkable is that it is not a relic or a restored exhibit. It is a fully operational saw mill that has been running continuously for over 140 years. Visitors can watch the entire timber processing journey from raw logs brought in by boats to sorted, cut and warehoused timber. The sight and sound of massive colonial era machinery still functioning with precision after more than a century is an experience unlike any other in Andaman.
The mill complex also houses a Forest Museum managed by the Forest Department of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration which gives visitors a detailed and engaging insight into the timber history of the islands and sustainable forestry practices.
The Chatham Saw Mill was established in 1883 during British colonial rule with a clear industrial purpose. The Andaman Islands were rich in valuable timber including the prized Andaman Padauk, a wood known for its exceptional quality and used in high end furniture and construction across India and beyond. The British recognised this resource and built the saw mill to process and supply this timber systematically.
For decades the mill operated as one of the most significant industrial facilities in the Andaman Islands supplying timber that shaped the economic and physical landscape of the islands. The mill employed large numbers of workers and became deeply woven into the social fabric of Port Blair.
During the Second World War when Japanese forces occupied the Andaman Islands from 1942 to 1945 the mill was bombed and parts of it suffered significant damage. The remnants of this wartime destruction are still visible within the complex today, serving as a physical reminder of the Japanese occupation and the turbulent wartime history of these islands.
After Indian independence the mill continued operations under the Forest Department of the Andaman and Nicobar Administration. Over 140 years after it was first built it remains one of the oldest continuously operational saw mills in Asia, a fact that makes it a truly remarkable industrial heritage landmark.
Plan Your Port Blair Historical Tour with Our Local ExpertsChatham Saw Mill offers a layered experience that combines industrial heritage, colonial history and wartime significance. Here is what to look out for during your visit.
Watching the massive vintage machinery process raw timber is the centrepiece of any visit to Chatham Saw Mill. The scale of the equipment, the sounds of the mill in operation and the sight of colonial era engineering functioning after more than 140 years creates an impression that stays with every visitor.
One of the most historically significant features of the mill complex is the bomb crater left by Japanese bombing during World War II. Standing at the edge of this crater with the knowledge of what happened here during the Japanese occupation brings a very specific and powerful piece of wartime history directly into view.
A well organised museum within the mill complex that showcases the history of timber processing in the Andaman Islands, vintage woodworking tools, archival photographs and detailed information about the islands' forest resources and sustainable forestry practices.
Visitors can follow the complete journey of timber from raw logs arriving by boat to the sorting, cutting and storage process. It is a rare opportunity to see a 140 year old industrial operation in full working order.
| Location | Chatham Island, Port Blair - connected by a 100 metre bridge |
|---|---|
| Established | 1883 by the British |
| Opening Hours | Monday to Saturday - 8:30 AM to 2:30 PM |
| Closed On | Sundays and Public Holidays |
| Key Attractions | Operational saw mill, wartime bomb crater, Forest Museum |
| Nearby Attractions | Cellular Jail Port Blair, Ross Island Andaman |
Visit Chatham Saw Mill in the morning when the mill is fully operational and the machinery is running. The experience of seeing the mill in full working order is significantly more rewarding than visiting when operations are winding down later in the day.
The Forest Museum within the complex deserves at least 30 to 45 minutes of your time. The exhibits on Andaman's timber history, indigenous forest resources and wartime damage are genuinely informative and add important context to everything you see in the mill itself.
Combine your Chatham Saw Mill visit with the Cellular Jail and Ross Island on the same day for a comprehensive Port Blair historical experience. Our team at AndamanVacation.com plans Port Blair itineraries that cover all three efficiently without any rushing so you have enough time to appreciate each landmark properly.
Our team handles all transfers and arrangements for your Chatham Saw Mill visit as part of your Port Blair itinerary. You focus on the experience. We take care of everything else.
Chatham Saw Mill is one of Port Blair's most underrated and genuinely fascinating historical landmarks. Unlike the Cellular Jail and Ross Island which attract large numbers of visitors, the saw mill offers a quieter and more contemplative historical experience that rewards curious travelers who go beyond the obvious tourist trail.
Our team at Andaman Vacations India includes Chatham Saw Mill in Port Blair itineraries for travelers who want to experience the full depth of what this remarkable capital island has to offer. Tell us your travel dates and we will build a Port Blair day plan that does justice to every major landmark.
"I’ve traveled with many agencies, but this one stands out! personalized approach and attention to detail made our honeymoon unforgettable.
