About this piece
back to topA set of miniature wooden shipbreaker barrels from the H.M.S. Victory, Warspite, Valiant & The Mauretania
An early 20th century set of four teak ‘shipbreaker’ models formed from the wood of decommissioned British warships.
Throughout the 20th century, companies such as Hughes Bolckow and Castle’s Shipbreakers dismantled obsolete warships, transforming the wood from these iconic vessels into furniture and other items. British retailers like Heal’s were known for offering shipbreaker items fromt their store on Tottenham Court Road, London from the 1920s.
Each wooden barrel is formed from parts of the H.M.S. Victory, Warspite, Valiant & The Mauretania.
H.M.S. Victory
The H.M.S. Victory, best known for her role as the Admiral Horatio Nelson’s flagship during the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805. The ship still remains in service as of 2026, making it the world’s oldest ship in naval commission after 248 years. This barrel is taken from a piece of the bowsprit, repaired at some point in its rich history.
H.M.S. Warspite
The H.M.S. Warspite, nicknamed “Grand Old Lady” became one of the most decorated ships in British Naval history. Once decommissioned in 1947, it became grounded whilst on tow to Scotland, grounding near Prussia Cove where it was broken down over the following years.
H.M.S. Valiant
In service from 1916 to 1946, serving through world war I & II. The ship was eventually retuned to the UK in 1948 for breaking.
R.M.S. Mauretania
The Mauretania was a British ocean liner built in 1906. It held the title for the world’s largest ship when built, along with speed records. In World War I, the ship was requisitioned as a Hospital and troop ship until it was retired and scrapped in 1935.
