The file consists of correspondence between the Secretary to the Humber Conservancy Board (Alfred William Franklin), various solicitors acting on behalf of owners of property along the banks of the River Trent, and sometimes with the owners directly. It also includes correspondence with representatives of the Board of Trade, and representatives of the Great Central Railway Company. The subject matter is remedial works (e.g. piling, stone Embankments, bank strengthening using old canal boats, etc.) on the banks of the River Trent. Photographs and drawings of these remedial works are included in the file.

A particular set of correspondence is connected with proposed works for Messrs Southern Cotton Oil Company Limited, and another with works for the Redbourn Hill Iron and Coal Company Limited concerning a proposed water intake pumping station.