The papers had been arranged by Dawkins himself and were further arranged by Mr J.M. Dawkins, his son, at the time of their presentation in 1958. There were two small additions in 1961 and 1963, both given by Mr Dawkins. The papers for Admiral Dawkins' early career consist of official service documents and three diaries, 1851 to 1858. Those concerned with the loss of the vanguard consist of some official publications, such as the findings of the court martial, a large collection of press cuttings, some private letters and Dawkins' own account of the disaster.

Administrative / biographical background
Dawkins entered the Navy in 1841. After becoming a lieutenant in 1848 he served in the Rattler and was given charge of two Brazilian slavers as prizes in 1849. He then served in the Modeste and in the Glatton, a floating battery which went to the Crimea, 1855 to 1856. After this he was in the Esk commanded by Sir Robert McClure (q.v.) in a cruise to the Far East, and was present in the Bittern at the attack on Canton in 1857. He returned home in the Comus. He was commander in the Mars, Channel Squadron, in 1859, was promoted to Captain in 1863 and in 1866 went to the Pacific in command of the Zealous. In 1873 he was appointed to the Vanguard, which in September 1875 sank after colliding with the Iron Duke. At the subsequent court martial Dawkins was held responsible for the accident. After 1875 Dawkins made several unsuccessful applications to the Admiralty for employment and for a reconsideration of his case. He was promoted to rear-admiral in 1878 on the retired list but the finding of the court martial was never reversed.