Series consists of central registry files created and/or maintained by the Marine Group and its predecessors Canadian Marine Transportation Administration and Marine Services. Volumes 5438-5439 contain navigation files relating to the Marine Group central registry records(central registry blocks 7502, 7514, 7700). Volumes 5382-5394 consist of Marine Group central registry files relating primarily to the registration of individual ships and the activities of the Park Steamship Company. Other files pertain to a variety of subjects such as Justice Department rulings, lists of shipping, policy regarding approval of vessel names, war losses of Canadian registered ships, 1939-1945, list of vessels sold by War Assets and former CD vessels registered after the First World War at various Nova Scotia ports and at St. John's, Newfoundland prior to Confederation. Also included is a register of Records of Endorsements of Change of Masters, Pictou. Volumes 5177-5236 consist of Marine Group registry files concerning a variety of subjects, including conferences and committees; facilities planning; wharves, agencies and depots; surveyors and port wardens; public harbours; harbours and harbour masters; waterlots; lighthouses; telecommunications; waterways; international relations; pollution; seismic surveys; wrecks and derelicts; pilotage; shipping masters; shipbuilding; ice-breaking; Coast Guard fleet activities; steamship inspection; ferries; foreshore; wharfingers and wharves; and air cushion vehicles. Volumes 4055-4062 consists of central registry files pertaining to Canadian Government Ships, Lighthouses, agencies and depots, conferences and committees, medals and awards and meteorological duties. Volume 5130 consists of files relating exclusively to the operation of the public wharf at Hull, Quebec. Volumes 2828-2834 contain registry files, formerly 8210-118 to 8217-182, now 8200-9147 to 8200-10741 dealing with cable ferries, dams and powerhouses, and dumping under the navigable waters protection act.
Included in this series are Marine Transportation Administration central registry files. Volumes 50-62 includes files on various harbours and ports and on harbour under commission in British Columbia (New Westminster, Fraser River and North Fraser River). Also included are files on aids to navigation in various locations in New Brunswick, Quebec and Nova Scotia; the North Atlantic Ice Patrol; navigable waters (Pollution and Icebreaking), as well as a run of files on wrecks, casualties and salvage. Volumes 4114-4127 contains registry files relating to the various marine related responsibilities of the department. These include: conferences and committees, publicity, general administration, pay and allowances, public harbours and harbour masters, harbour commissions, aids to navigation, seamen's unions, water power development, navigable waters, shipbuilding, steamship inspection and wrecks, casualties and salvage. Volumes 5131-5151 contain registry files related to the establishment and operation of lighthouses (Series 8010 and 8012). Volumes 5237-5263 consist of registry files related to a variety of subjects, including the marine safety advisory council; transportation of dangerous goods; the Trent-Severn Waterway; agencies and depots; harbours and ports; carriage of cargoes; lighthouse sites; international arrangements; pilotage; and shipwreck investigations.
Also included is one bound volume of technical drawings to accompany notes on the Morris Canal, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, the Louisville and Portland Canal, the Erie Canal, Canadian canals, canals along the Illinois River, the Mississippi River, and the Des Moines Rapids Canal. Volume is entitled, "Plates to accompany notes on some of the chief navigable rivers and canals, in the United States and Canada", by George T. Walch, executive engineer.
