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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.

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Letter from WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty] to Field Marshal Sir John French [Chief of Imperial General Staff, later 1st Lord Ypres], on a naval bombardment to support the advance of the Army on Ostende, Belgium, suggesting that the Navy attack Zeebrugge, the base of the German submarines, at the same time. Also includes Admiralty memorandum sketching out naval support for the army. [Hand-written drafts, initialled by WSC].

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Telegram from Field Marshal Sir John French [Chief of Imperial General Staff, later 1st Lord Ypres] to Field Marshal 1st Lord Kitchener [Secretary of State for War], stating that the naval support of the Army's attack on Ostende [Belgium] had been "most useful". French recommends that the same co-operation be given the next day, with note by WSC, confirming that naval co-operation would be continued. [Initialled by WSC].

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Telegram from Field Marshal Sir John French [Chief of Imperial General Staff, later 1st Lord Ypres] to Field Marshal 1st Lord Kitchener [Secretary of State for War], stating that the advance along the Belgian coast from Nieuport was not as fast as hoped, and asking for surprise bombardment by monitor and big gun ships. [Typescript copy].

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Telegram from the Supreme Commander of the Russian Armies [the Grand Duke Nicholas] to WSC, First Lord of the Admiralty, accepting in principle the offer of assistance from the Royal Navy to a Russian Army landing on the North German Coast, if the British fleet gained command of the Baltic Sea. [Typescript copy].

Scope and Contents Minute from WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty] to the Prime Minister [Herbert Asquith, later 1st Lord Oxford and Asquith], Sir Edward Grey [Foreign Secretary], and Field Marshal 1st Lord Kitchener [Secretary of State for War], on naval power in the Baltic. WSC points out that the destruction of the Austrian Navy or the accession to Britain's side of Italy and Greece would enable two fleets to be maintained, each superior to Germany, one of which could be placed in the Baltic. [Hand-written,...

Scope and Contents Memorandum by WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty] on naval strength in the Baltic, stating that the Kiel Canal gave Germany the power of putting their whole naval force in the North Sea or the Baltic. He adds that the Royal Navy was not strong enough to provide two fleets, each individually superior to the German Fleet, and that the Admiralty could not obtain the naval command of the Baltic until either a decisive general battle had been won at sea or the Kiel canal was effectively blocked....

Scope and Contents Letter from WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty] to Field Marshal 1st Lord Kitchener [Secretary of State for War] on the need for artillery on the Western Front, suggesting that territorial batteries be sent to India, and regular artillery brought home: "It is an awful pity to leave these splendid batteries keeping order among natives when trained artillery is our bitterest need. I think myself that every regular battery in India except mountain, ought to come home and be replaced by...

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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].

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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].

Scope and Contents Letter from Field Marshal 1st Lord Kitchener, Secretary of State for War, to WSC [First Lord of the Admiralty] on the status of naval units serving with the Army in France. Kitchener states that while the War Office would welcome a Naval Brigade or Division, they did not think it necessary to have "irregular" Naval units serving in armoured cars or trains, which could be provided by the War Office. He adds that if these irregular units were only a means for "certain officers and gentlemen...

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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].

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Letter from Victor Augagneur, French Minister of Marine to WSC, First Lord of the Admiralty, approving WSC's plans for joint naval operations in the Mediterranean, and detailing the French fleet, including aircraft sent to the Suez Canal [Egypt], and explaining that they had no light cruisers available. Includes hand-written copy and note by WSC marking the letter as satisfactory.

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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].

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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.

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Telegram from Vice-Admiral Sackville Carden, Dardanelles, to Admiralty, reporting worsening weather, and difficulties operating within the Straits [typescript copy].

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Telegram from Vice-Admiral Sackville Carden, Dardanelles, to Admiralty, reporting suspension of operations due to bad weather [typescript copy].

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Telegram from Vice-Admiral Sackville Carden, Dardanelles, to Admiralty, reporting improved weather, and resumption of operations [typescript copy].

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Telegram from Vice-Admiral Sackville Carden, Dardanelles, to Admiralty, reporting on attack on Turkish forts on 1 Mar [typescript copy].

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Telegram from Vice-Admiral Sackville Carden, Dardanelles, to Admiralty, reporting on attack on Turkish forts on 1 Mar [typescript copy].

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Telegram from Vice-Admiral Sackville Carden, Dardanelles, to WSC, First Lord of the Admiralty, requesting permission to take HMS "Queen Elizabeth" inside the Straits [typescript copy].

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Telegram from Vice-Admiral Sackville Carden, Dardanelles, to Admiralty, report that operations were proceeding [typescript copy].

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Telegram from WSC, First Lord of the Admiralty to Vice-Admiral Sackville Carden, Dardanelles, on plan of operations if he should succeed in entering the Sea of Marmora [typescript copy].

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Telegram from Vice-Admiral Sackville Carden, Dardanelles to Admiralty, report on bombardment of Turkish forts at the entrance to the Dardanelles [typescript copy].

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Telegram from Admiralty to Vice-Admiral Sackville Carden, Dardanelles, plan of Admiral Sir Henry Jackson for attack on the Bosphorus [Karadeniz Bogazi, Turkey] Forts from the South. [typescript copy].