The papers consist of logs, 1842 to 1843, and 1852 to 1864. There are loose letters, 1857 to 1858, including those from Captain William Peel and the officers of the Naval Brigade concerning the Indian Mutiny [War of Independence], a Chinese coal merchant's receipt book, and a Chinese Almanac / Thousand Character Classic taken from a Chinese Temple during the Opium Wars.

Administrative / biographical background
George Alexander Waters, a master's assistant in 1842, served on the East Indies Station first in the VIXEN and then in 1843 in the JUPITER. He was made second master in 1845 and master in 1848. Between 1852 and 1856 he served in the Black Sea in the SIMOOM and in the SHANNON until 1861. During the Indian Mutiny, 1857, Waters was left in command of the SHANNON while her captain, Sir William Peel (1824-1858), led the Naval Brigade. He later served as master, and staff commander when the rank was redesignated, in several ships. His active career ended as staff captain with two appointments as Queen's Harbour Master, first at Malta and then at Sheerness. He retired with the rank of captain in 1876. His service record can be found under the reference ADM 196/21/109 at The National Archives.