The papers include a number of logbooks, orders and instructions, signals, watch/quarter/station bills, material relating to impressment, victuals and a number of sketch books and miscellaneous papers. Not all of the material belonged to John Platt, with one notebook being signed by a Charles Platt, 50th Regiment and other documents signed by a G.E Platt and an Edward Platt. The sea chest, inscribed "ROYAL SOVEREIGN", in which the papers were kept, was also donated to the Museum and is now with Weapons and Antiquities (see AAA3336).

Administrative / biographical background
The papers start with Platt serving aboard HMS PORTO (c.1780-1782). After PORTO, Platt served on various ships, including HMS ISIS, HMS EAGLE, and HMS CENTURION, mainly in the East and West Indies. He was promoted to Lieutenant on 7 November 1793 and then served on a number of ships, such as HMS ALLIGATOR and HMS ROYAL SOVEREIGN. During his career, Platt appears to have also served in the merchant navy, notably on the KATHARINE, COUNTESS OF EFFINGHAM, which carried Thomas, Earl of Effingham, governor of Jamaica, and his wife to Jamaica (1789-1790). Platt did not enjoy his time in merchant service and the collection includes an example of a reply from the Admiralty to Platt's letter, requesting employment. He also appears to have been involved with the Folkstone Sea Fencibles, with the collection including several documents relating to impressment. Platt was superannuated commander 2 December 1828 and can be found in the retired section of the Navy Lists for the years 1828-1832.