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The Minden, 74, Capt. Mackay, will be paid off in the course of the next week.—It has been stated, in very exaggerated terms, that this ship arrived from India infested with white ants. The fact is, upon a supposition that these destructive little animals were to be found in her, the most scrutinous search was made in every part of the ship, and, at length, a few were discovered in a part of the hold where the air had not had a free circulation: but the instant they were openly exposed to the atmosphere, they seemed convulsed by its frigidity, and died in a few minutes. These animals are described as more venomous than the musquatee, introduced into this country some years since from Egypt. Their known destructive effects upon oak timber, rendered the precautions which have been taken with the Minden, prudentially necessary. The Minden has brought from India a slab of wood, which is not less a remarkable curiosity from its great diameter, than it is valuable from the beauty and fineness of its texture.—The tree was cut down at one of the Eastern Isles by the crew of the Malacca (which ship Capt. Mackay then commanded), after great labour: the bulk head of the Minden was obliged to be taken down, to convey it into the cabin, where it has been used as a dining table.
— Hampshire Telegraph, Monday 26 February 1816 source