Shipbreaking, sometimes also known as ship recycling, is the process of breaking up old ships that could no longer sail. The ships are either broken up as a source of parts which could be reused on another ship or stripped to extract raw materials which could then be recycled.

During the 18^th and 19^th centuries, battleships were predominantly made of wood, making shipbreaking a lucrative prospect for furniture makers and timer merchants. By World War I battleships had progressed to being both wooden and steel vessels.

Hughes Bolckow & Co. was founded in 1906. The company rented land from Lord Ridley and the Blyth Harbour Commissioners at Battleship Wharf, Blyth. They bought old ships, particularly battleships, that could no longer sail. They stripped the ships down and made furniture and other household goods from the useable metal and wood. It appears that the company had an extensive business. They sold to the public directly from Blyth and from their showrooms in London. They were one of the most successful shipbreakers in Britain.

The company was famous for breaking a number of notable Royal Navy ships, including HMS Britannia and HMS Southampton. During World War I they also broke up German U-Boats including the captured U-22 which the British Admiralty sold to Hughes Bolckow & Co.