Role of teak and other hardwoods in shipbuilding as evidenced from literature and shipwrecks

Abstract

One of the greatest achievements of man is the invention of watercraft which has been used from the prehistoric period onwards. Over the centuries, varieties of watercraft were designed and developed. Timber was the main component required for construction of boats and ships since ancient times until it was replaced by iron or steel. Once the size and carrying capacity of vessels was enhanced and overseas trade became more frequent, superior quality of timber was used for building boats and ships which were seaworthy. Probably, the Ashtadhyayi of Panini (5th century BC) is the oldest Indian literary work mentioning the use of a variety of timbers. Timber species such as teak (Tectona grandis), sal (Shorea robusta), sissoo (Dalbergia sissoo), benteak (Lagestroemia microcarpa), etc. were used in shipbuilding. Among these, teakwood has been termed as most valued on account of its noble qualities, specifically, long-term durability, higher strength and stiffness and absence of development of cracks and splits in the products. Most of the Indian literature as well as travellers have mentioned about the worthiness of teak, but there are no studies to corroborate the accounts. In a later period, the Europeans understood the superiority of teakwood which resulted in slow replacement of traditionally used oak and pine by teak in shipbuilding. The European rulers imposed several restrictions and permissions were not granted for the use of teak by the natives; while on the contrary, the Europeans mostly built their ships from teakwood. This has been confirmed from shipwrecks found around the world. Abundant references are found in literature on the use of teakwood in shipbuilding. There are not many studies related to use of teak in shipbuilding to confirm the statements made in literature, nor timber samples collected from many shipwrecks and archaeological sites analysed. Most of the references to teakwood available in literature as well as wrecks of teakwood-built ships explored so far are referred to in this note.