The personal papers of Rear Admiral Richard W. Bates (1892-1973) cover the years 1915-1973. He was a commanding officer on many ships in the Navy. His collection consists of correspondence, subject files, writings, speeches, and miscellaneous items. The papers are arranged in four series based on an established file system. They mainly encompass Bates career as a Naval Officer, family, and social life in Newport, as well as other aspects of his career including published and unpublished writings, notes, photographs, slide presentations, and reports.

Correspondence and subject files pertaining to administration, organization, mission, functions and buildings of the Naval Training Station and Naval Station, 1885–1974; Historical subject files of Coasters Harbor Island, Fort Adams, USS Constitution, USS Constellation, visits of Presidents Roosevelt, Eisenhower, Kennedy and Nixon, 150th Anniversary of landing of General Rochambeau, 150th Anniversary of the Battle of Rhode Island, hurricanes, fires, Public Works Department, Tercentenary of city of Newport, Naval Air Station, Naval Torpedo Station, Naval Operating Base, and Goat Island, 1885–1974; Command Histories, 1958–1974; War Diaries, 1941–1943; Publications including Our Naval Apprentice, Newport Recruit and Newport Navalog; Photographs and photograph albums of the Naval Base, Naval Station, recruit training and special events, 1890–1963; Picture book, log book, leave books, and organization and regulation books, 1885–1974.