These volumes are ledger sheets bound between cardboard covers held by linen tape or screws (form AS 41, 41a).  The items are arranged alphabetically by ship's name (which includes commissioned shore establishments) and chronologically within the group for each ship. The shore establishments have additional volumes for their tenders, and these are also arranged chronologically. The front cover of each ledger bears the ship's name and the period covered (quarter ending...).  Each entry gives the following information: Victualling details; name, number and seniority, rank; period of full pay and entitlements; Credits (extra pay, allowances);  Debits (charges, allotments, payments on account, clothing, pay deferred); Remarks (punishments, qualifications and so on). Some of the establishments and ships go to parts, divided by rank and section of the alphabet. Some of the ledgers have a nominal index inserted at the front. Sometimes, groups of vessels are put together in the one ledger, eg. Requisitioned vessels.  This practice appears to have ceased around 1941, and thereafter each ship has its own volume.  Note: Loose folios have been found in this series and have been controlled as Unknown single number.