Joseph Parkin and Thomas Richardson were the first of a number of shipbuilders to open yards in Hartlepool in the mid 19th century. Their shipyard was located behind the Town Wall and a section of the wall had to be temporarily removed in order to launch their first ship, the Castle Eden, in 1836. Four further ships were launched from this site and each time the wall had to be dismantled and then rebuilt to maintain the sea defences. Unsurprisingly, the yard relocated in 1838 to nearby Middleton. Only two more ships were built before the partnership dissolved in 1839 and the shipyard was sold to J.P. Denton.

Both men now pursued other business interests, but in 1844 Richardson recommenced shipbuilding, producing two wooden vessels in the next two years. Work ceased again until 1854, by which time the yard had been adapted for building iron ships. During this time Thomas Richardson had died and the yard was now owned by his two sons, Thomas Jnr and John. They launched Hartlepool's first iron ship, the Sir Colin Campbell, in 1855. Financial problems brought the yards to a close in 1857 and they remained idle until 1863, when they were taken over by John Pile.

From this point the Richardsons concentrated on their engine-building business, which remained trading until 1982.

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