The papers cover the period from 1904 to 1921 and include memoranda, appointments, sailing orders and Admiralty letters, 1904 to 1918; correspondence, 1913 to 1921; reports on the dockyard at Esquimalt and on the landing party for the protection of British subjects at San Quentin, Mexico, 1911, and reports and papers relating to the Air Department, 1915 to 1918.

Administrative / biographical background
Vivian entered the Navy in 1882 and was promoted to lieutenant in 1892. He went to the China Station in 1902, becoming acting commander of HMS ROSARIO in 1904 and was also promoted to the rank of commander in that year. Between 1905 and 1906 he was commander of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, and then served in the Mediterranean and at Chatham. From 1911 to 1912 he was on the west coast of America on HMS SHEARWATER, was promoted to captain in 1912 and in 1913 qualified in flying; he then commanded HMS HERMES, employed on special duties attached to the Royal Flying Corp (Naval Wing). During the First World War he served on HMS SIRIUS, 1914, HMS PATIA, 1914 to 1915, HMS LIVERPOOL, 1916 to 1917, and HMS ROXBURGH on convoy duties, 1918. Vivian was Commodore of Chatham Barracks from 1920 to 1921.