The collection consists of seminar papers, research notes and correspondence relating to Pearsall's postgraduate studies and his later interests while employed at the National Maritime Museum. The main research topics are the Royal Navy in China, river steamers on the Yangtze and Irish Sea ferry services.

Administrative / biographical background
Pearsall was born at Leeds in 1925, the eldest son of William Harold Pearsall, a professor of freshwater biology, and Marjorie Williamson, a lecturer in botany. On leaving Morecambe Grammar School in 1942, he volunteered to join the Royal Navy and served in India. After being demobilized and recovering from illness, Pearsall studied history at Trinity Hall, Cambridge. He then began a doctorate in naval history under Professor Gerald S. Graham at King's College London. Pearsall then worked at the National Maritime Museum for 30 years, starting as a general assistant in 1955, rising to become Curator of Manuscripts and then Historian. He was awarded the Imperial Service Order in recognition of his wide-ranging knowledge, and the scholarly advice he provided to colleagues and the public. Pearsall served as a member of the Council and as Vice President of the Navy Records Society, and was a member of numerous other organisations associated with his interests in maritime and transport history.