The collection contains papers and correspondence, mainly relating to the period of the First World War, and especially to Carden's involvement in the naval campaign at the Dardanelles.

Telegram from WSC, First Lord of the Admiralty to Field Marshal Sir John French [Commander-in-Chief, British Expeditionary Force, later 1st Lord Ypres], regretting that the Royal Navy could not provide artillery support on the Belgian coast. WSC explains that small ships were not powerful enough, and it was not justifiable to expose battleships to risk of attack by submarines, except to support a land attack of primary importance. [Hand-written draft, unsigned].

Letter from WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty] to Field Marshal 1st Lord Kitchener [Secretary of State for War] on the treatment of naval units serving with the Army in France. WSC argues that they should continue to be subject to the Naval Discipline Act, not given the choice to "become a soldier or be sent home"; he lists the five units concerned: armoured trains, motor omnibuses, aircraft, armoured cars and 15-inch howitzers. [Two draft carbon copies].

Memorandum by WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty] on the need to secure naval command of the Baltic, in view of the stalemate on the Western Front. [Hand-written draft, initialled by WSC].

Minute from WSC, First Lord of the Admiralty to the Naval Secretary and Chief of Staff, (Henry Oliver), Admiralty, asking why submarines could not be used to sweep up the lines of moored mines in the Kaphiz minefield, and on methods of dealing with drifing mines [typescript, initialled by WSC].

Telegram from WSC to John S Churchill, on Lord Fisher's resignation as 1st Sea Lord, largely on Dardanelles questions, and his own departure from the Admiralty, stating that ther two friends (Vice Admiral John de Robeck and Gen Sir Ian Hamilton) would be supported and should not be disheartened [handwritten copy].

Letter from C F Madeley, PS to Lord Dunraven to Edward Marsh, Admiralty, stating that if WSC was too busy to sign letters of introduction. perhaps the Naval Secretary would do so.

Telegram from Rear-Admiral Horace Hood to the Duty Captain, Admiralty, on his operations to support the Army in Belgium. [Carbon].

Telegram from General Sir Ian Hamilton to Vice Admiral John de Robeck encouraging him to persevere in his naval attack on the Dardanelles. Typescript copy. Sent with CHAR 2/74/33.

Letter from General Sir Ian Hamilton (Deanston House, Perthshire, [Scotland]) to WSC enclosing a copy of a telegram from him to Rear Admiral John de Robeck [see CHAR 2/74/2] to show that he did not influence de Robeck in his abandonment of purely naval attacks at the Dardanelles. Signed typescript.

Minute by WSC on the plan for concentrating naval forces in the Mediterranean ("Pola") with a view to forcing the Dardanelles. Typescript copy.

Minute by WSC on the naval arrangements for the forcing of the Dardanelles and the seizure of Alexandretta. Typescript copy.

Letter from WSC (Admiralty) to Lord Kitchener arguing that only those battleships needed for the initial stage of the Dardanelles bombardment should be used at the outset and that the seizure of Alexandretta should be attempted at the same time as the bombardment so that it can be represented as the main operation if the attack on the Dardanelles is checked. Printed copy. Another copy at CHAR 2/81/9,.

Memorandum by WSC to Sir Edward Grey [later Lord Grey of Fallodon] and Lord Kitchener on the terms of naval co-operation with France in the eastern Mediterranean. With note by Grey that French should be allowed to have what they want in this sphere, even a share in the occupation of Alexandretta. Printed copy. Another copy at CHAR 2/81/11.

Letter in French from Victor Augagneur [French Minister of Marine] (Paris) to [WSC] indicating agreement with British proposals for Anglo-French naval co-operation in the eastern Mediterranean with reference to the attacks on the Dardanelles and Alexandretta (31 Jan). With notes that Sir Edward Grey [later Lord Grey of Fallodon] and Lord Kitchener have seen the letter and that WSC thinks it is satisfactory (3 February). Printed copy. Another copy at CHAR 2/81/13.

Note by the Admiralty Transport Department on the move of the 29th Division and the 2nd Mounted Division from Avonmouth to the Mediterranean. Printed. Other copies at CHAR 2/81/15 and CHAR 2/88/22.

Letter from WSC to Lord Kitchener on the preparation of transports to the Dardanelles for the 29th Division and the need for the French Division to come to Lemnos in view of the absence of British regulars. Printed copy. Another copy at CHAR 2/81/17.

Letter from WSC to Lord Kitchener suggesting that 20 March be fixed on as the date for the landing of troops after the initial naval operations at the Dardanelles and approving the appointment of General Sir Ian Hamilton to the command of the military operations. Printed copy. Another copy at CHAR 2/81/18.

Letter in French from Victor Augagneur, French Minister of Marine, to WSC agreeing with the plans for the Dardanelles operations set out in a recent memorandum from WSC and giving details of the relevant French naval dispositions. With notes that the letter was seen by [Herbert Asquith, later 1st Lord Oxford and Asquith], Sir Edward Grey [later Lord Grey of Fallodon] and Lord Kitchener, and that it is satisfactory to WSC. Printed copy. Another copy at CHAR 2/81/14.