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Inspectors' Visitation of the Royal Society Library, 1768-1769 and 1777.

Letters sent to the Royal Society, its President or Officers. Subject matter is both domestic and scientific. Domestic concerns include such matters as instructions from authors on the publication of papers. The letters on scientific topics appear to be those which were considered of small significance, e.g. giving notice of minor inventions, or appealing to the Society for recognition.

Miscellaneous letters and papers concerning the landed property of the Royal Society covering the nineteenth century.

Identifications and field notes by Edred John Henry Corner and Wee Lek Chew from the Royal Society's expeditions to Kinabalu, North Borneo, 1961 and 1964; with a preliminary report on the Cambridge expedition to Mount Kinabalu, 1965.

Photographs, engravings and other images of the Fellows of the Royal Society. Also includes manuscripts and objects of the Royal Society. They appear in various formats, whether in engravings, drawings, watercolours, paintings, sculpture, artefacts and photographs. There are also photographs of their manuscripts, works and publications.

Declarations in lieu of charter oath by Royal Society Fellows.

Council Attendance Book of Royal Society.

The accounts, menus, correspondence and minutes of the Royal Society Club, from 1743 to the present, and its associated organization the Philosophical Club (founded in 1847). Early records of the Club are limited to administrative matters, notably membership, attendance of Fellows and guests, menus and accounts. Summary descriptions of speeches and discussions at weekly meetings are not available until 1847, and then only in the rival Philosophical Club volumes. The eventual merger of the two bodies in 1900 resulted in this practice being retained to date.

Papers relating to the 250th Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Royal Society consisting of two separately bound addresses from the University of Paris and the University of Parma, a box of addresses from Europe other than the United Kingdom, Japan, USA, and the British Empire; a box of addresses from the United Kingdom; and a box of other miscellaneous papers.

Papers of the Royal Seamen's Pension Fund. Included are minutes of the Governing Body, 1919 to 1977 and the Finance Committee between 1930 and 1977, ledgers 1920 to 1972, reports of the Governing Body and Reports of the Seamen's Advisory Committee 1912 to 1979, including cash books 1920 to 1965, register of seamen's pension 1944 to 1987.

Records of the Royal Scottish Corporation, comprising copy charters, byelaws and grant of arms (Ms 35760); minutes and related papers 1831-1834, 1877-1990 (Ms 35761-4); annual reports and accounts and other financial records 1935-2002 (Ms 35765-72); correspondence 1936-1993 (Ms 35773-80); seal register 1935-1992 (Ms 35781); papers re subscribers and legacies 1894-1969 (Ms 35782-5); papers re festival dinners 1820, 1906-1998 (Ms 35786-90); papers re St Andrews Soldiers' Home 1914-72 and St Andrews Scottish Soldiers' Club Fund 1980 (Ms 35791); correspondence re the London Scottish Regiment War Memorial Fund 1957-62 (Ms 35792); minutes, financial papers and register of pension payments of the Kinloch Bequest 1877-1992 (Ms 35793-801); minutes, financial records and correspondence of the Freer Trust 1915-62 (Ms 35802-8); correspondence relating to the hall, property and insurances 1864-1988 (Ms 35809-10); and press cuttings and miscellaneous items 1829-1995 (Ms 35811-2).

Please note that access to some financial records less than 30 years old is restricted. Access to records less than 50 years old which contain personal information is also restricted. 24 hours notice is required for access to all the records.

Records relating to the Royal School of Mines and Royal College of Science, 1851-1966, comprising articles on the Museum of Practical Geology; report of the Royal School of Mines Committee, 1902; a history of the Royal School of Mines, 1966; prospectuses, 1851-1907; annual reports, 1882-1906; minutes of the Council of Professors, 1851-1911; lecture accounts, 1851-1881; Normal School of Science and Royal School of Mines student fees, 1881-1883; Royal College of Science student fees register, 1900-1901; staff lists, 1903-1908; entries to lectures, 1851-1879; student entries, 1879-1881; register of passes, 1881-1893; Royal College of Science and Royal School of Mines ledgers, 1893-1896; Royal College of Science ledgers of students, 1897-1908; lecture bills, 1851-1900; inaugural addresses, 1896-1905; Royal School of Mines examination returns, 1851-1881; registers of examinations, 1883-1901; examination results, 1882-1908; apparatus accounts, 1895-1909.

Records of the Royal Postgraduate Medical School, 1921-1995, including reports of preliminary Committees, 1921; minutes of the Governing Body, 1931-1952; minutes of the Committee of Management, 1947-1974; minutes of the Council, 1974-1985; minutes of the Board of Governors, 1938, 1962-1967; minutes of the School Council, 1934-1947; minutes of the Academic Board, 1947-1983; minutes of the Finance and General Purposes Committee, 1976-1987; annual reports, 1935-1995; prospectuses, 1936-1968;
papers relating to staff appointments, including lists of staff, 1935-[1980], obituaries, transcripts of interviews with staff, monthly salaries, 1935-1940; London County Council war service salaries and wages, 1939-1943;
visitor's book, 1947-1962; press cuttings, 1954-1976; photograph albums and loose photographs, [1935-1965]; negatives, [1959-1985]; 16mm films of various operations;
Medical School reports on work at Hammersmith Hospital, [1936-1940]
copies of The Special newspaper, 1986-1995 (for Hammersmith Hospital and the Medical School); copies of Alumnus News Letter, 1986-1988.

Records of the Royal Polytechnic Institution (RPI), 1837-1881 and undated, comprising:

Leases of premises, 1838-1876, including no 5 Cavendish Square; prospectus, 1837; correspondence and papers concerning the foundation of the Institution, its provisional committee, shares, status and affairs, 1837-1839 and undated, including its charter, 1839, and papers on arbitration on a dispute between W M Nurse and the Institution; correspondence and papers relating to activities and affairs of the Institution, 1838-1842 and undated, including documents on the alleged infringement by the Institution of a patent for a diving dress, 1838, and an agreement with W H F Talbot permitting the use of his patented photographic process, 1841; photocopy of a letter from Robert Longbottom, RPI Secretary, to Samuel Morse, 1846; copy of charter, 1852; letter concerning a school visit to the RPI, 1858;

Catalogues of the Polytechnic Institution (copies), 1838-1840, and Royal Polytechnic Institution, 1844-1845; programmes for 1861, 1876, 1878 and 1881; bound volumes of RPI programmes, 1873-1878; reports, 1879-1880; particulars and conditions of sale of the RPI premises, 1881;

Books by authors associated with the RPI, including various publications by John Henry Pepper: The Boy's Playbook of Science, 2nd edition, 1860.; Popular Lectures for Young People and Half Hours with the Alchemists, 1st edition, 1855; The Playbook of Metals, 1st edition, 1869 and Cyclopaedic Science Simplified, 1st edition, 1869; The Book of The Lantern by T C Hepworth, 2nd edition, 1889; Memory by William Stokes, 2nd edition, 1888 and Rapid Writing by William Stokes, 4th edition, 1873; issues of various contemporary journals containing information on or advertisements for the Institution [1839]-1845, some with illustrations, among them scientific equipment, including four parts of the London Polytechnic Magazine, 1844, six parts of its continuation, The Polytechnic Review and Magazine, 1844, and five parts, 1845; advertising poster, 1840;

Book of press cuttings relating to the Institution from 1842, many lacking details of their source; five tokens bearing the name of the Institution, 1840; photogenic transfer made at the Institution, 1840; a ceramic plate fired at the RPI, 1866;

Illustrations and photographs of illustrations from 1840, some undated, including the great hall and other shots of the interior and exterior, 1843, and demonstrations, including the diving bell.

Archives of the Royal Opera House (ROH), comprising:
some business records of the ROH and associated companies including Board minutes and papers of various opera companies using the ROH, 1919-1939; box office returns and payment slips for artists and theatre staff, 1919-1939; individual artist files, containing biographical information, prints and photographs 18thc to present]; production files 1946-present; minutes of the Board of the Royal Opera House Ltd, sub-committees, and management groups, 1946-present; files of the General Administrator/Chief Executive Office, and Assistants to the General Administrator, 1946-present; files of the Chairman of the Board 1946-1997; files of the Company Secretary's office, 1948-1996; files of the Personnel Office -2002 (closed); Contract files 1946-1980s (closed);
Opera Company files 1970s - 1999; Ballet Company files 1947-1996; Birmingham Royal Ballet files 1970s-1991; some early performing company files are found with the General Administrator's files; Finance Department records, 1946-present;

19th century correspondence, including letters of Frederick Gye (1809-1878), opera manager; Giovanni Matteo Mario (1810-1883) Italian tenor; Giulia Grisi (1811-1869), and Michael Costa (1810-1884) conductor;

Press, Publication, Community Relations, Marketing and Box Office departmental files, 1980-2000; House Management files, 1948-1999; Orchestra Office files, 1948-present; Friends of Covent Garden files, 1964-1999;

Ballet for All - education initiative files, 1964-1970s; London Opera Centre records, 1963-1970s; Production Office files, 1946-1980; Fly Department files, 1947-1977; Technical Department files, 1952-present;

audiovisual collection comprising:
audio recordings of oral history interviews relating to the Royal Opera House Development Project, 1997-2000; Verdi Centenary, 2001-2002; recordings of interviews and events at the Royal Opera House, 1964-2003;

photographic collection comprising:
photographs by Donald Southern, including black and white negatives and colour transparencies of performances, events and personnel at the ROH, 1959-1991; photographs by John Graham, including negatives of ballet and opera performances at the ROH, 1940s-1950s; photographs by Felix Fonteyn, including negatives of ballet productions from 1950s; photographs by Richard Holttum, including black and white negatives and colour transparencies of the ROH interior and exterior prior to development 1988-1991; photographs by Rob Moore including contact prints and colour transparencies of the ROH development, 1997-2001; Schal time-lapse photography of the development of the ROH, 1996-1999; Historic Monuments Commission photographic survey of the ROH interior and exterior prior to site development 1990-1996; two albums of photographs compiled by Edwin Sachs of the redevelopment of the ROH stage, 1899-1900, and the workshops; glass plate negatives used to create ballet post cards, 1950s-1960s;

collection of music and choreographic scores comprising:
printed songs, 18th -early 19th century; operas scores (vocal and orchestral) and stage managers scores, 1840s-1939; annotated opera stage managers scores 1946- present; annotated ballet stage managers scores, 1946-present; Staff Director's annotated scores for opera productions, 1946-present; Ninette de Valois' printed and manuscript music for ballet, 1920s -1930s; printed and manuscript ballet music, 1840s-1950s;
choreographic scores for ballets performed by The Royal Ballet and Birmingham Royal Ballet;

design and costume and collections comprising:
Yolanda Sonnabend design collection including notebooks, reference files, and related material, 1973-1995;
Ian Spurling collection of designs, photographs and press cuttings, 1975-1994; Toby Ward collection of drawings of the ROH prior to and during development 1996-1999;
Glynne Boyd Hart collection of watercolours of the ROH development, 1998-1999;
Ruth Hurle collection of drawings of back state, craft workrooms, opera and ballet rehearsals, 1930s-1940s;

costumes and accessories, such as headdresses, jewellery, shoes and wigs, worn by artist appearing at he ROH, 1920s-2003;
Comelli costume design collection including artwork by Attilio Comelli and others for costumes of operas performed at the ROH 1880s-1920s;
Costume design artwork, 1946-present; design artwork for sets and props, 1946-present; models of sets for productions, 1946-present; Model Room files relating to ground plans, and technical drawing or set and prop construction 1946 to present; stage and ground plans, 1939; Production Wardrobe files relating to costume and accessories design 1946-present;

miscellaneous large prints and drawings of performers and performances 19th and 20th century;

collection of advertising posters, 19th century-present;

programme collection including programmes for Gala and Special performances, and decorative programmes 1750s-present;

press cuttings of announcements, reviews, interviews, 18th century, 1847-1939; Harold Rosenthal collection of press puttings, relating mainly to the ROH performances, 1847-1950s; press cuttings of reviews and articles about performers and performances, 1946-present;
miscellaneous albums and scrap books relating to Anna Pavlova, and Nellie Melba, amongst others 1920s;

library collection comprising books, periodicals and specialist publication relating to ballet, dance, opera, music and theatre; libretti, 1840-present; playtexts 1776-[1850]; reports commissioned by the ROH and general arts reports 1946-present; ROH publications and souvenir year books 1956-2002;

special collections comprising:
Royal Ballet Benevolent Fund collection of material relating to the celebration of the 50th anniversary of The Royal Ballet (RB), including papers, photographs, press cuttings, programmes concerning the RB and its predecessors - Vic Wells and Sadler's Wells Ballet companies 1931- 1950s;

Spellman Song Sheet Covers containing illustrations of operas, and ballets late 19th-early 20th century;

albums of Lady de Grey albums containing photographs of singers, composers, conductors, mostly autographed, dedicated to (Constance) Gladys De Grey, (1859-1917) Marchioness of Ripon, and opera patron, 1870-1920;

collection of Dame Margot Fonteyn De Arias (1918-1991) ballet dancer, including costumes, accessories, photographs, correspondence and books, 1920s-1980s;

collection of Dame Ninette de Valois (1898-2001) founder of The Royal Ballet, including awards, honours and correspondence, 1947-1993;

collection of Leslie Edwards (1916-2001), principal dancer The Royal Ballet, including photographs 1920s-1980s;

collection of Eva Turner (1892-1990) English soprano, relating to her singing career, including costumes, accessories, photographs, press cuttings, music and books 1920s-1940s;

diaries of Frederick Gye (1809-1878), Royal Italian Opera General manager, 1847-1878, his daughter Clara Gye, and son Ernest Gye, ROH Manager, 1847-1877;

collection of Olive Grime, dancer with the Beecham Opera Company, including press cuttings, contracts, correspondence, photographs, books and costumes, 1920s-1930s;

collection of Reginald Goodall (1901-1990) English conductor, including correspondence and personal papers, 1900-1958.

Minutes of Visitations of the Royal Observatory Greenwich, together with relevant extracts from the Minutes of the Council of the Royal Society.

Records of hospitals in the Royal Northern Hospital Group, 1835-1991, comprising Hornsey Central Hospital, Mildmay Memorial Hospital, Maternity Nursing Association, North London Medical and Chirurgical Society, Royal Chest Hospital, Royal Northern Hospital and Santa Claus Children's Home.

The papers include committee minutes, reports, financial papers, newspaper cuttings, leaflets and publications, histories, staff registers, regulations, plans and photographs. Patient records survive only for the Royal Northern Hospital.

Records of the Royal Northern Hospital, 1885-1991, including minutes, annual reports, secretary's reports, register of seals and deeds, constitution and regulations; registers of road traffic accidents, births, deaths, operations, and maternity cases, case papers; matron's reports, registers of nurses and pupils, salaries and wages, correspondence, journals; ledgers and accounts; Plans of the Whittington Hospital; Chaplain's reports; Photographs; Ladies Association papers; Related documentation including histories, programmes, newspaper cuttings and publications.

Pendant and vane lists are included in this category; amongst these is a sheet of distinguishing signals issued by Lord Howe, 1794; a number of sheets of signals which were issued in addition to the printed signals, which include two recognition signals issued by the Admiralty for naval vessels and East Indiamen, 1778 and 1780.

This class consists of 120 printed and manuscript signal books and signal logs. 1711 to 1816. The earliest signal book is a manuscript volume compiled between 1710 and 1711. This contains additional signals made by Sir John Norris (c 1670-1749) in the RANELAGH. The format of this volume is very similar to the printed signal book of 1714 by Jonathan Greenwood. There are some manuscript examples produced privately by individual officers usually with a thumb index for quick reference, dating from the mid-eighteenth century. There are also printed signal books for 1790, 1793, 1795, 1798 and The General Signal Book of 1799, 1808 and 1816. During the 1790s the printing of signal books became general practice. There are various examples (which include day and fog signals), night signals, instructions and additional instructions, which were usually issued in sets. For example, the collection has a set issued in 1793 by Admiral Lord Hood to the Mediterranean fleet. There is a similar set issued by Sir John Jervis in 1794 while in the West Indies.

Most of the printed books which were issued have additional signals inserted in manuscript. The manuscript signal books are copies kept by officers who were not issued with a printed signal book, and preferred their own copy for easy reference; they are therefore usually pocket size. This practice was forbidden because of the danger of the code falling into enemy hands. However, there are a number of these in the collection and they often contain additional information, such as orders of battle and sailing, keys to both the British and French systems of coastal signals, pendant lists, etc. Many are finely executed and some are illustrated. There is a manuscript signal book used at the battle of the Nile, based on the 1795 edition entitled 'Day and Night Signal Book, Horarry, Fog etc.' by Midshipman (later Commander) Charles Claridge (fl 1798-1823) in the DEFENCE. This has a short diary at the back of the volume describing the battle and an order of battle and an order of battle and sailing. A manuscript copy of Lord Howe's code of 1793 is also included; this contains a list of signals for identifying coasts and headlands, caricatures, a sea song and drawings of naval vessels. The collection contains a group of signal books issued for use in a particular area; they include volumes for Barbados, 1820, Plymouth, 1797 and St Helena, 1817. There are also three signal logs, one of which was kept in the VICTORY, 1804.

This category contains single items relating to the administration of naval ships. Among the items are a watch bill, c 1810; a certificate of 1813 signed for a petty officer 'to pass through the lines' from the BRUIZER, 1903.

The volumes in this class consist of fifty-one watch, station and quarter bills, late-eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, and order books relating to the administration of ships of the Royal Navy. The earliest is an order book of Prince William Henry (1745-1837) in the PEGASUS and ANDROMEDA, 1786 to 1788. The majority of the watch, station and quarter bills date from 1830 to 1860. Some are working pocket books while others are decorative fair copies. An example of the latter is the watch and fire bill of the ISIS, CORNWALLIS and PRESIDENT, 1836; included are ships; plans, instructions for gun exercises, boat signals and copies of orders. The most recent volume is the night order book of the SHROPSHIRE, 1931 to 1934.

The collection of 153 volumes of sailing and fighting instructions include the majority of those listed in Sir Julian Corbett, Signals and instructions (Navy Records Society, 1908). In addition, there are many examples of those issued to smaller squadrons rather than fleets. The earliest is a printed copy of 1673 issued to James Duke of York (1633-1701). There is a copy of 1691 by Admiral Russel (1653-1727), issued in 1702. Subsequent sets show the development which took place up to the Seven Years War. From 1756 onwards additional and supplementary instructions became more numerous. The collection also contains several versions of instructions for ships in convoy, 1708 to 1815. In addition to these single items, there are sets in the personal collections. The most extensive, of thirty-four volumes, is that of Admiral Duncan, 1760 to 1799, including signals and instructions issued during the American War, convoy instructions for 1782 and a number of sets from the 1790s. Other sets of significance include those of Vice-Admiral Duff, 1748 to 1762, including convoy instructions, 1756 and 1758, and printed instructions for disembarking and re-embarking troops, which were issued by Admiral Rodney (1719-1792) for the landings at Marinique, 1762; of Rear-Admiral Clements, 1758 to 1770; and of Captain Lord Longford, 1779 to 1780.

This category contains documents relating to prize money, seventeenth to nineteenth centuries. It includes a letter of 1652 from the Council of State, signed by the President, William Purefoy (1580-1659), to the Commissioners of the Navy, concerning the capture of Dutch prizes by Robert Blake (1599-1657); a vellum document appointing Richard Neale of Portsea prize agent for the PORCUPINE, 1718, signed and sealed by all members of the crew; a copy of a prize money case between Admiral Sir John Duckworth (q.v.) and Admiral Sir Robert Calder (1745-1818), with a legal opinion, 1805; certificates and receipts for payment, 1805, 1806 and 1842.

This class contains volumes which relate to prize money, including an account book, 1811 to 1816, of Edward Locker, admiral's secretary (1777-1849); and five ledgers of prize accounts, possibly by the naval agents, Messrs Ommaney, 1798 to 1826.

Manuscript volume containing a table giving particulars of the pay and stoppages for all ranks in the different ratings of the Royal Navy, [1800]. Includes a list of leap years from 1752 to 1762.

The earliest items in this category are five documents signed by Philip II of Spain (1527-1598); two relate to the supplying of galleys in the Mediterranean, 1585 and 1586, and three to the provisioning of the Armada, 1588. There are two seventeenth-century documents, one of which is sailing and fighting instructions issued in 1687 by Henry Fitzroy, Duke of Grafton (1663-1690) The twelve eighteenth-century items include sailing orders signed by Peter the Great (1682-1725), 1719; refitting and sailing orders from the Admiralty to Captain Edward Legge (1710-1747) of the SEVERN or, in his absence, Captain George Murray (later Admiral Lord Elibank) (1706-1785) of the PEARL at Rio following the separation from the CENTURIAN, 1741; and a document showing the disposition of the fleet in order of battle sent by Admiral Lord Hood to Captain (later Vice-Admiral) Horatio Nelson (q.v.) of the AGAMEMNON, 1793. Among the thirteen nineteenth-century documents are draft instructions for troops Admiral Lord Keith's landings in Egypt, by Captain (later Admiral Sir) Alexander Cochrane (1758-1832), 1801; and a series of five orders to William Yates, commander of the revenue cutter ROSE, operating in the English Channel, 1804. There are two twentieth-century documents; an Admiralty order to Vice-Admiral Sir John (Later Lord) Jellicoe (1859-1935) to supersede Admiral Sir George Callaghan (1852-1920) as Commander-in-Chief of the Grand Fleet, 31 July 1914; and a cyclostyled copy of Jellicoe's memorandum issued to the Grand Fleet after the battle of Jutland, 1916.

This class contains copy order books of orders received and issued. For order books relating to ship administration see entry no.134. The volumes date from the late-eighteenth to the mid-nineteenth century. They include orders issued by Captain (later Admiral Sir) John Sutton (1758-1825), senior officer in the TAGUS, 1797 to 1801, and memoranda and orders issued by the senior officer at Bermuda, 1808 to 1815.

Royal Navy ship's logs. The earliest log begins in 1737 and the latest in 1917 but the majority, over three hundred volumes, are from the nineteenth century. Being, on the whole, kept privately, the format and size of the volumes vary widely. Over three-fifths of the volumes, where the rank of the keeper can be ascertained, were kept by midshipman or naval cadets, but there are examples of logs kept by other ranks from master's mate to admiral. Many of the logs are illustrated with sketches, maps, diagrams and photographs. Of particular note in this respect are the log of the QUEEN CHARLOTTE, 1790, kept by Lieutenant (later Captain) John Mason Lewis (fl 1790-1831); four volumes kept by Sub-Lieutenant (later Commander) Francis H Boyer (d 1926) on various ships between 1869 and 1876; two logs kept on several ships, 1870 to 1873, together with a sketchbook by Henry Bridges Molesworth (1855-1954), midshipman; and the log of the RALEIGH, 1874 to 1876, by Charles Molyneux Howard Oakley (1858-1876), also when a midshipman. Of the forty eighteenth-century volumes, the earliest is the log of the WINDSOR, 1737 to 1741, signed by her captain, George Berkeley (1693?-1746), including an account of the attack on Cartagena in 1741.

There are also two logs by Rear-Admiral Charles Watson (1714-1757) as captain of the princess louisa, 1746 to 1747, including a description of the battle of Cape Finisterre, 1747; an unsigned copy of the log of Admiral Sir George Pocock on the NAMUR, 1762 to 1763, during the siege of Havana; a log of the WINCHELSEA, 1787 by John Dykes (fl 1776-1805), Master, with sailing instructions and copies of his correspondence, 1789; A log of the BRUNSWICK, 1793 to 1794, up to but excluding the First of June, kept by Captain John Harvey (1740-1794) together with the ship's muster and pay book 1792 to 1794; and three logs kept by Prince William Henry (1745-1837) as midshipman on various ships between 1779 and 1783.

There is a series of four logs of the LEVIATHAN, 1795 to 1799 and 1802, which was present at the attack on Leogane in 1796 and at the Minorca landings, 1798; these were possibly kept by Lieutenant (later Captain) William Buchanan (fl 1794-1833) and one volume has additions in the hand of Commodore (later Admiral) Sir John Duckworth, while the log for 1802 includes an index to his letterbooks and a register for 1800. Finally there are also three logs kept by Richard Caley (d 1799), Master's Mate and later Lieutenant, in several ships, 1781 to 1798, including the BLENHEIM at the Battle of Cape St Vincent, 1797. Among nineteenth-century logs, numbering over three hundred, are two by Samuel Wise, Master's Mate, on the POLYPHEMUS, 1805 to 1808, which was present at the battle of Trafalgar, 1805; a log by Admiral Sir Augustus William Clifford (1788-1877) as lieutenant in the TIGRE, 1807 to 1809; a log by Lieutenant Thomas Pickering Clarke (fl 1800-1862) on several ships, 1800 to 1807, including a narrative of the Walcheren Expedition, 1809; and a log of Admiral Sir Stephen Lushington (1803-1877) as midshipman on the GANYMEDE, 1818 to 1819. There is also a log of the SPITFIRE, 1835 to 1839, by Robert R Arnott (fl 1834-1839), Assistant Surgeon, together with a rough medical record, 1839; a copy of the log of the VERNON, 1836 to 1837, signed by Captain (later Rear-Admiral) John W M'Kerlie (1774-1848), together with printed sailing reports of the VERNON and a punishment book, 1834 to 1837; and a log of the POLYPHEMUS while engaged in the suppression of the slave trade, 1853 to 1854. Another log of this vessel, 1855 to 1856, kept by Commander (later Captain) Frederic P Warren (d 1891) records her wreck off Jutland on 29 January 1856. Among the volumes relating to the Crimean War there is a log kept by Midshipman (later Captain) Cecil G S Stanley (d 1891), in the ALBION and QUEEN, 1853 and 1855.

This class consists of ten contemporary lists of naval personnel. There is usually little detail beyond the lists of names themselves. An exception to this rule is the earliest volume, a list of captains between 1688 and 1696, which gives a number of biographical details; similarly, there are notes in a volume in a clerical hand of promotions for lieutenants for 1801, kept for Lord St Vincent. The most comprehensive is a four-volume copy of the 'Naval General Service Medal Roll, 1793-1840', containing the names of those awarded and the actions in which the medal and bars were won.

This class consists of six notebooks containing information on various subjects, made by naval officers or ratings. An example is a large book, alphabetically indexed, kept by Lord Charles Beresford (1848-1930) on subjects of administrative and political interest, 1900 to 1901; some of the entries are in his own hand.

Records of the Royal Navy Club of 1765 and 1785. They consist of: Minutes: meetings, 1846 to 1888; annual general meetings, 1765 to 1845: Navy Club of 1785, general meetings, 1810 to 1888: United Club, the committee, 1889 to 1924; agenda, 1894 to 1939. Accounts: United, 1895 to 1940. Cash books: 1765 Club, 1830 to 1877; 1785 Club, 1840 to 1873. Donations to Memorialists: 1765 Club, 1824 to 1934. Other records include: Club, 1827 to 1841; United Club, 1889 to 1934. Attendance Books: 1765 Club, 1822 to 1830, 1845 to 1849; 1785 Club, 1785 to 1803; United Club, 1895 to 1903, 1938 to 1954. Subscription Books: 1765 Club, 1797 to 1888; 1785 Club, 1825 to 1841; United Club, 1889 to 1954. Address books: 1785 Club, c 1881; United Club, c 1914 to 1919 and ca.1939 to 1950. There are also nine boxes of loose letters, accounts, reports, correspondence, memorials and copies of the rules relating to the whole range of the Clubs' activities, 1824 to 1927; and a book of pencil drawings, c 1840, by Admiral Robert Patton (1791-1883).

The fifty-nine volumes in this class are mainly official and relate to the central administration of the Navy, 1558 to 1850. They consist principally of instructions, accounts, reports, legal opinions and treatises. There are nine volumes of instructions, 1660 to 1718. Two volumes describe the duties of the Lord High Admiral, 1673; eight contain copies of the instructions to the Navy Board, 1662; six, those to the Victualling Board, 1701 and 1715 to 1718; and two, those to the Sick and Hurt Board, 1684 to 1699 and 1703. A manuscript index of official Admiralty papers compiled ca.1694 contains references to instructions and to other Admiralty correspondence. Among the financial accounts are an early Treasury account book, 1572 to 1573; a report on naval estimates, 1654; and estimate of the charge of the Navy, 1684; and estimates of the naval debt, 1712 to 1720, which details the Treasurers who held money and the amounts invested in South Sea stock. A volume of notes on the office of Treasurer of the Navy, 1650 to 1698, includes an account of permitted perquisites. Accounts relating to the Ordnance Board consist of a 'computation of the ordinary annual charge within the office of his Majesty's Ordnance', 1679; six volumes giving stores issued, received and surveyed, 1576, 1595, 1599, 1635 to 1637, 1644 to 1649 and 1650 to 1651. In addition there is a volume of papers relating to fortifications in the Thames area, 1667 to 1703; and the minutes of the Ordnance Board, 1679 to 1680. Other accounts, dealing with stores, are contained in 'The Boke of Victuellinge', 1558, which details victualling stores issued to ships at sea and in harbour, listed under their ports in a chronological order. There is a contract for victualling the navy 1677 to 1678, and statistics relating to victualling, c 1684. The reports, or volumes related to reports, have a parliamentary origin. They include one of the papers referred to in the investigation into merchant shipping losses by the Lord High Admiral to the House of Lords in 1707; the proceedings of the committee of the House of Commons, 1744, which examined naval officers on the 'miscarriage' of the Mediterranean fleet at Toulon; ten volumes contain the reports produced between 1785 and 1788 by the Commissioners 'appointed to inquire into Fees, Gratuities, Perquisites and Emoluments which are, or have been lately, received in the several public offices'. In addition, there is the appendix to the fifteenth report of the Commissioners for Revising and Digesting the Civil Affairs of the Navy on the proposal for a new eastern dockyard, 1807, which was never printed. The legal opinions consist of judges' 'arguments', 1637 to 1639, relating to the 'ship money' case. Also of a legal nature is an account of the charges against Edward Cecil, Lord Wimbledon (1572-1638), on the Cadiz expedition, 1625. The treatises include a copy, c 1630, of Captain Sir Henry Mainwaring's (1587-1653) 'Discourse' on his piratical activities and a copy, c 1615, of Soveraignty of the Seas of England' by Sir John Borough, Keeper of the Records in the Tower of London (d 1643)

Five documents relate to the Ordinary, 1596 to 1638; all concern payment of the men. A similar number relate to the dockyards, 1669 to 1694; one of these is a petition signed by all the officers of the yards, asking for an advance of salary, 1694. In addition there is a letter from Thomas Wood, a mason, to the Duke of Richmond (1701-1750) petitioning him for employment in Portsmouth Dockyard, 1741. There are three documents relating to victualling, 1625, 1704 and 1755; six concern transports, dating between 1693 and 1899;seventeen relate to the Ordnance; the earliest is a group of inventories and stores for ships in 1595; and the most recent contains orders to the Storekeeper of Ordnance at Portsmouth, 1825, but in the main they are indentures and receipts. A dozen relate to manning and impressment; the earliest in this group, 1626, is an instruction to the constables for impressing mariners, signed by the Duke of Buckingham (1592-1628); the latest is an Admiralty minute relating to the mobilization of the Royal Naval Reserve, 1914. In the main the rest consist of proposals and Protections. Two documents relate to the Sea Fencibles, 1804 and 1812. Finally, seventeen documents concern the administration of naval stores; they date from 1611 to 1827, expenses for ships in the Channel Fleet, 1805.

See sub-fonds level descriptions for individual scope and contents.

This category consists of individual documents relating to the administration of the Royal Navy. It is arranged by department, and consists of fifteen documents relating to the Board of Admiralty, seventeenth to twentieth centuries; an example is an instruction of 1652 from the Admiralty to the Navy Board on the building of thirty frigates. However, an early document is also included in this category; this is a warrant from Henry VIII to the Keeper of the Wardrobe to provide cloth for the hallowing (or blessing) of the HENRY GRACE A DIEU, 1514. There are ten documents relating to the Navy Board, sixteenth to nineteenth centuries; these are mainly early documents relating to finance when the Treasurer of the Navy was a member of the Board. The earliest is a warrant of 1558 for the payment of two thousand pounds.

Royal Navy records relating to local administration. The class consists of twenty-nine volumes, most of which are official. A significant proportion consists of formal letterbooks kept by the dockyard Commissioners or officers recording letters sent to and received from the Navy Board, and warrant books detailing the orders given by the Board. There are ten such volumes for Sheerness, 1757 to 1822. Two letterbooks are unusual; one of them contains letters from a yard commissioner who visited the Victualling yards at Portsmouth, Chatham and Sheerness between 1702 and 1703, whilst the other contains letters specifically relating to sailmaking, 1807 to 1814. There are also account books kept by the Clerks of the Cheque at Gibraltar, 1757 to 1760, and Portsmouth, 1795 to 1800; a 'Timber Expense book' kept by Charles Scammell, a quarterman at Deptford dockyard, 1780 to 1801; a journal kept by the Master Attendant at Portsmouth, 1696 to 1698, is unusual owing to its more personal nature and early date; a private account book of Richard Prowse, Master Attendant at Woolwich Dockyard between 1785 and 1804, contains information on private payments from contractors. From the seventeenth century comes a survey of the fortifications along the Thames, Medway and southern and Cornish coasts in 1623 and an account of the expenses incurred in building the 'citadel' at Plymouth Hoe, c 1670. There are two bound volumes of plans of the dockyards in England and the colonies; the earlier was made in 1774 and includes forty maps and plans including soundings; the other, made in 1831, contains thirty-seven plans. The most recent item is a cashbook containing copies of receipts issued at Haulbowline Dockyard, 1920 and 1921.

This category consists of official personal documents of officers and men of the Royal Navy, seventeenth to twentieth centuries. The first group of five documents relates to pay and allotments of ordinary seamen. An example is a certificate entitling Jane Smith, widow of Charles Smith, to his pay and effects, 1855. A further five documents relate to health at sea; among these is an unsigned essay on scurvy, c 1770; an order signed by Admiral Hawke concerning portable broth, 1757; and a memorial of 1822 to the Admiralty concerning a wound received in action. Two documents concern naval uniform: one is an illustrated list of French naval rank badges, 1844; the other is notes made in 1891 on changes in naval uniform by Admiral F G D Bedford. There is a further group on medals, awards and ceremonials. Of the two documents in this group one is on vellum conferring the Freedom of the Borough of Thetford on Lord Nelson, 1798. The largest group (125 documents) in this category consists of individual officers' commissions and warrants. Examples include the appointment of the captain to the bark THOMAS, signed by Sir Francis Drake ([1540]-1596); one signed by Sir Walter Raleigh, 1616; the appointment of Sir William Penn as Admiral od the Fleet, 1653; some pursers' bonds, 1651 to 1660; Nelson's commissions as Captain of the AGAMEMNON, 1793, Rear-Admiral of the Blue, 1797, of the Red, 1799, Vice-Admiral of the White, 1804, Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean, 1803. There are also a small numberof foreign and army commissions. The next group consists of service documents of petty officers and ratings; examples include a warrant appointing Jacob Capell as a master cook to a frigate building, 1646; three service certificates of James Gilham, leading signalman, 1890 to 1919. There are also seven Service and Discharge Certificates of Royal Marines, dating between 1784 and 1833. There are seventeen documents issued by Greenwich Hospital, including examples of Smart Tickets and out-pensioners' certificates, 1804 to 1827; and an account of John Clarke, the receiver of Sixpences, 1716. Also included in this section is a warrant to the High Constables of Alstowe in Rutland for collectiong money for maimed seamen, 1648. Finally, in a group of eight wills and legal documents is a certificate of annuity due to Sir Cloudesley Shovell, signed by Elizabeth Shovell, 1714; and a document of 1778 signed by Vice-Admiral John Byron (1723-1786) making over power of attorney to his wife.

Papers of Royal Naval Loan Library. They consist of notices and agenda of committee meetings, correspondence and financial statements, 1946 to 1947.

This class consists of thirty-four volumes of contemporary lists of naval ships, 1633, 1655, 1664 and 1670 to 1900. Many were compiled officially and usually have the same format, listing ships by rate, details of dimensions, numbers of guns, where built and the name of the designer. A few have additional notes on establishments of stores and men and other regulations. The nineteenth century is particularly well represented by ten official volumes of annotated and corrected lists from the 1830s until the 1870s. They give very full dimensions and details of ships over a long period. An example of one of these is that belonging to the Earl of Minto (1872-1859), First Lord of the Admiralty, with details of ships during the 1830s, corrected to August 1841.

This category contains individual documents containing lists of ships, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. Among the items is a list of ships of 1652 to be prepared for the summer guard for the coasts of England, Ireland and Scotland, with the names of commanders, numbers of men and guns. The list was presented to Parliament and approved. Another, of 1804, is an 'abstract of the country craft of various descriptions that have been armed for the defence of the coast from Shoreham in Sussex to Mistley in Essex'.

Records of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich. The records cover the life-time of the College from its establishment in 1873 to its closure in 1998. The records are varied, but many relate to the staff at the College. They include pay rolls, volumes detailing staff leave and discharge and service registers. There are also accounting records - bills, receipts, expenditure, imprest books etc. One of the more interesting groups of records are the volumes of "reports", covering the period 1877-1922, which include miscellaneous records relating to Sub-Lieutenants passed, awards, sick leave, discharge, stationary demands, applications to join the College, letters to the Admiralty etc. The collection also includes registers of correspondence and letters-out for the period 1873-1947. Relating to the students, there are a few registers of students on courses 1873-97 and also volumes of Acting Sub-Lieutenants' examination results and passing certificates 1873-1911. These records duplicate those held by the National Archives and further records relating to students can be found there. The more modern twentieth century records mainly relate to courses ran by the College. They include lists of students on courses, Board of Studies minutes, course syllabuses etc, but are not complete. The collection also includes a large photographic archive.

Records of the Royal National Throat Nose and Ear Hospital including administrative records, nursing, finance, legal and estates records and printed material. The collection reflects the random survival of records from the hospital, the vast majority of records appear to have been destroyed.

Any surviving patient records are held at the RNTNE.

Records of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital include records relating to administration (1902 - 1986); patients (1924 - 1990); staff (1962 - 1979); finance (1900 - 1979); education (1885 - 1967); legal records (1907? - 1979); associated organisations (1927 - 1984); and printed material and historic notes (1906 - 1982).

The collection also contains records of predecessor organisations: Royal Orthopaedic Hospital (1838 - 1905); National Orthopaedic Hospital (1865 - 1905); and City Orthopaedic Hospital (1857 - 1907).

Manuscript volume containing transcripts of papers relating to the Royal Mint, [1732-1770], including a copy confirmation of the Charter of the Royal Mint, dated 24 Apr 1662, including the original grant of 1 May 1308 and successive confirmations and grants; a copy of the indenture dated 23 Aug 1732 appointing John Conduitt as Warden of the Mint, with corrections in red ink to form the basis of an indenture for the Hon Charles Sloane Cadogan, 23 Nov 1770; copy of a warrant dated 24 Jul 1729 for John Conduitt to coin British copper, with a note of a similar warrant dated 17 Aug 1738 for Richard Arundell, Master of the Irish Mint; copy of a warrant dated 20 Nov 1740 for Richard Arundell, Master of the Irish Mint, to coin copper for Ireland.

Manuscript volume containing transcripts of papers and tables mainly relating to the work of the Royal Mint in the second quarter of the eighteenth century, [1740-1748], notably a copy of the Mint Charter of 24 Apr 1662, with a translation into English, and of the indenture of 23 Aug 1732 appointing John Conduitt as Master of the Mint, with a schedule of salaries; copies of the papers of Sir Isaac Newton and John Conduitt relating to the Trial of the Pyx, [1717 and 1734]; copy papers, some official, relating to the Assay and Trial of the Pyx in 1734 and 1740; copy papers on various, including Portuguese money, the process of making money from imported ingotts, and copper coinage; tables of monies coined under Richard Arundell, Master of the Mint, between 1737 and 1743; tables of gold and silver minted annually from 1660-1740; orders of 1729, 1732 and 1738 allowing the Master of the Mint to import Irish copper; tables showing the weight and fineness of gold and silver coins minted from the time of King Edward I, with names of successive Masters of the Mint. A note by the compiler in the index is signed 'A.P', which probably stands for Anthony Pollet, Clerk to the Caster.

Apprenticeship indenture for John Campbell, resident in the Asylum, apprenticed to George Campbell, shoemaker, 1817.

Records of the Royal Memorial Church of Saint George, Cannes, France, comprising memorandum and articles of association of the Duke of Albany Memorial Church Society, 1886 (Ms 23615); register of baptisms, 1887-1960 (Ms 23616); service registers, 1887-1964 (Ms 23617); and church inventory, 1907-31 (Ms 23618).

Papers of the Royal Maternity Charity, 1761-1949, including minute books, 1761-1949; 'Rough minute books', 1772-1826 and case-book of Robert Barnes at the Royal Maternity Charity, Oct 1857-Oct 1858.

Contains records of the Royal Masonic Institution for Girls (formally the Royal Cumberland School for the Daughters of Indigent Free Masons and the Royal Freemasons School for Female Children). This includes minutes, agendas, signature books, membership records, reports, business statements, interview books, correspondence and administration files of the Institution’s Courts and Committees; Festival records, including minutes, agendas, a signature book, cash books, ledgers, administration files and printed memorabilia; records concerning petitioners and beneficiaries, including petitions and certificates, précis of petitions, petition registers, admission registers, a register of Junior School staff and pupils, summer holiday administration files and general beneficiary administration files; financial records, including ledgers, cash books, purchase journals, annual reports and accounts, sealing registers, investment accounts and dividend received books, lists of grants awarded from the Institution’s funds, collector books, donation and subscription registers, lists of governors and subscribers and general financial administration and correspondence files; staff records, including personal, pay and pension administration files; property records, including architectural plans and maps, building, receipts and payments books, visitor books, schedules of deeds and other documents deposited with banks, deeds and leases, tenant and property management files for the Institution’s property in Great Queen Street, London, Parker Street, London and Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire and administration files concerning the closure and redevelopment of the Royal Masonic Junior School for Girls, Weybridge, Surrey and publicity records, including VHS tapes, photographs and general promotional material.