Tectona grandis
This piece of Teak wood is the end of a baulk (a roughly squared beam) that was cut from the forest of Myanmar (then Burma) at the beginning of the twentieth century. It was part of a shipment of timber that was travelling on the SS Pegu from Yangon (then Rangoon) to Liverpool in 1917. The SS Pegu was sunk by a German U-boat off the coast of Galway where she and her shipment of teak remained until 2011. Working from German war records, a salvage company was able to locate the SS Pegu and reclaim the wood that had spent almost one hundred years on the bottom of the sea and another hundred years growing in the Burmese forests.
The baulks were in excellent condition, except for the last 30cm or so that you see here which has been burrowed into and occupied by gribble worms – 56 species of crustacean in the Limnoriidae family. The rest of this baulk was used in the construction of our Bethnal Green Memorial project.
SS Pegu
The SS Pegu was a British steam cargo ship that met a tragic end during World War I. On July 8, 1917, while en route from Rangoon (now Yangon) to Liverpool, it was torpedoed by the German U-boat U-57, commanded by Carl-Siegfried Ritter von Georg, approximately 7 miles southeast of Galley Head, off the coast of Ireland . The attack resulted in the loss of one life—the 22-year-old 4th engineer, Robert Maxwell.
Cargo and Salvage
The SS Pegu was transporting a significant cargo of Burmese teak (Tectona grandis) from Rangoon to Liverpool. This high-quality timber was intended for use in fortifying heavy gun emplacements in France and Belgium during the war.
In 2011, a salvage operation led by Magnie Mann, in collaboration with a Norwegian company, successfully recovered approximately 80 tonnes of teak from the wreck, which lay at a depth of about 80 meters on the seabed for nearly a century . The recovered timber was notably well-preserved, with much of it in excellent condition due to the protective silt covering on the ocean floor.
Current Use and Legacy
Some of the salvaged teak has been repurposed for historical restoration projects. For instance, Provenance Drums utilized the wood to craft drums, and a guitar maker used it to build an acoustic guitar, marking the 100th anniversary of the ship's sinking in 2017.
The cutting-edge preservation of this teak timber offers a unique glimpse into the past, allowing artisans and historians to connect with a piece of maritime history that has endured for over a century beneath the sea.
The Role of Teak in Historical Trade
1. Valuable Timber Commodity
Teak has long been prized for its durability, resistance to decay, termites, and water, making it ideal for shipbuilding, construction, and furniture.
Its natural oils and dense grain made teak a preferred wood for naval ships and maritime trade vessels—vital during the Age of Exploration and colonial expansion.
2. Colonial Era and Global Trade
During the 17th to 19th centuries, European colonial powers, especially the British Empire, extensively exploited teak forests in Burma (now Myanmar), India, and Southeast Asia.
Teak was shipped in large quantities from these regions to Europe and other colonies.
The wood supplied major naval yards and was used to build warships, docks, bridges, and railways.
3. Economic Importance
Teak exports were a major source of revenue for colonial governments.
The timber trade helped develop port cities like Yangon (Rangoon), which became hubs for shipping teak worldwide.
Teak plantations were later established in other tropical regions such as Africa and Latin America to meet global demand.
4. Maritime Trade and Shipbuilding
Teak’s resistance to seawater and pests made it essential for hulls, decks, and masts of wooden sailing ships.
Many historical ships, including British Royal Navy vessels and merchant ships, incorporated teak extensively.
It ensured longer service life and reduced maintenance costs.
5. Modern Uses and Legacy
Even after the transition from wooden ships to metal hulls, teak remained valuable for furnishing and decking luxury yachts and boats.
Historical teak trade contributed to cultural exchanges and economic linkages between Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Basic Information Tectona Grandis
Tectona grandis, commonly known as teak, is a large deciduous tree native to south and southeast Asia, valued worldwide for its high-quality hardwood.
Feature & Details
Scientific name: Tectona grandis
Common name: Teak
Family: Lamiaceae
Native range: India, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Indonesia
Tree size: Can grow up to 30–40 m tall
Wood type: Hardwood
Characteristics
Leaves: Large, ovate, rough-textured; deciduous in dry season.
Flowers: Small, fragrant, white, arranged in panicles.
Fruit: A small drupe containing a single seed.
Economic and Ecological Importance
Teak wood is highly prized for durability, resistance to termites and rot, and beautiful grain.
Commonly used in furniture, boat building, flooring, and veneers.
Teak plantations are widely established outside its native range (e.g., Africa, South America).
Growth and Cultivation
Prefers tropical climates with a pronounced dry season.
Grows best on well-drained soils.
Long rotation period (about 50 years) for quality timber.
Conservation
Overharvesting has led to depletion in native forests.
Plantation teak helps reduce pressure on natural populations.
Ecological Role of Tectona grandis
1. Habitat Provision
Mature teak trees provide habitat and shelter for a variety of wildlife, including birds, insects, and small mammals.
The tree’s large canopy offers shade, nesting sites, and food sources (flowers, seeds).
2. Soil Protection and Improvement
Teak trees help in preventing soil erosion, especially on slopes and degraded lands, by stabilizing the soil with their root systems.
Leaf litter contributes organic matter, enriching soil fertility over time.
However, teak plantations can sometimes lead to soil nutrient depletion if not managed sustainably.
3. Carbon Sequestration
As a fast-growing hardwood, teak stores significant amounts of carbon, playing a role in mitigating climate change by absorbing CO₂.
4. Influence on Microclimate
The dense canopy influences local microclimate by moderating temperature and humidity under the tree.
This creates a favourable environment for understory plants and animals.
5. Role in Forest Succession
In its native habitats, teak is part of mixed deciduous forests and contributes to forest succession dynamics.
It can colonize open or disturbed areas and facilitate the establishment of other species.
6. Biodiversity Considerations
Natural teak forests support high biodiversity with a rich assemblage of flora and fauna.
However, monoculture teak plantations tend to support fewer species, reducing biodiversity compared to native forests.
