The collection consists of audio tapes of 120 interviews that Lawrence conducted between 1980 and 1990 with naval personnel, several female officers and ratings. The collection includes several interview transcripts, correspondence relating to one interview, a captain's night order book (HMCS Portage), and the text of an address. The additional collections consist of manuscripts for books and articles written by Hal Lawrence, correspondence, clippings and photographs related to his navel career. The collection also include personal and professional documents and correspondence, naval oral history material, several naval maps and transparencies, miscellaneous publications and ephemera. The collection is arranged in eight series: 1) Manuscripts; 2) Oral histories; 3) Correspondence; 4) Photographic materials; 5) Newspaper clippings and reviews; 6) Personal and professional documents; 7) Published materials and ephemera; 8) Maps and transparencies.