The papers include a few watch bills and other papers relating to the Audacious, 1874 to 1877; out-letterbooks, 1881 to 1885 and 1898; private letters received, 1895 to 1898, 1901 to 1904, and admiral's journals, 1895 to 1898.

Administrative / biographical background
Bridge joined the Navy in 1851, was commissioned lieutenant in 1859 and from 1874 until 1877, when he was promoted to captain, served in the Audacious on the China Station. He went to Australia in command of the Espiegle, 1881 to 1885, and when he was promoted to rear-admiral in 1894 became Commander-in-Chief there. As a vice-admiral he was Commander-in-Chief of the China Station, 1901 to 1904, during which time the Anglo-Japanese treaty was signed. At the end of this commission he retired. He published Some Recollections (London, 1918).