The file consists of correspondence, sent (and received) by the Engineer to the Humber Conservancy Board (Arthur Ernest Butterfield), to/from the Chairman and members of the Wreck Raising Appliances Sub-Committee, H. F. Fourney M.I.M.E., M.I.N.A (Consulting Engineer), and various local engineering and shipbuilding companies. The subject matter is the purchase and supply of lighters for use in salvage operations.

The file includes a report by Edward Leetham and Martin Samuelson on a visit to London to inspect wreck raising appliances belonging to the Thames Conservancy. It also includes manuscript notes describing a lifting lighter belonging to the Thames Conservancy dated 11 December 1882, wreck service craft belonging to the Thames Conservancy dated May 1898, and 'the Dove' laid at Stone Creek. A further report by Martin Samuelson dated 28 October 1901 on wreck raising appliances on the River Humber. This includes drawings of salvage lighters for the Humber Conservancy.