Series contains records relating to the business of the Lightships and Lighthouses Committee, which was responsible for overseeing the Missions to Seamen's work with lightship and lighthouse crews around the UK. Series is arranged into two series: Individual lighthouses and lightships [U DMS/8/1]; and general files [U DMS/8/2].

The committee was directed by the following officials appointed as secretary in chronological order: Captain G.L. Parnell ('GLP'); Commander A.G.D. Bagot ('Guy'); Reverend A. Powell Hutchison ('Hutch'); Reverend J.R. Precious ('Bob'); Reverend Glyn Jones (as Auxilliary Ministries Secretary, taking over the function of the secretary role). The society, through the committe, appointed District Chaplains to cover lights and depots managed by Trinity House, and to visit lighthouses and lightships in the district whenever possible. Honorary Chaplains were also appointed with responsibilities to cover specific named lighthouses or lightships. Some duplication in coverage occurred as a result of this system. In addition, the committee operated an 'adoption Scheme', apparently from 1926, whereby a local parish or group might volunteer to adopt a lighthouse or lightship crew, and endeavour to send a hamper at Christmas, regular dispatches of letters and reading matter, and undertake occasional visits to the lightkeepers and their families.