Includes Oregonian articles on Modeer's retirement, 1941; information on World War I ships he commanded; and photocopies of images of Modeer and his crew on the lighthouse tender Manzanita from the Oregon Historical Society Research Library's Photograph Subject Files.

The log entries are handwritten in pencil. All entries are from 1907, except for two pages of miscellaneous log notes for 1909.

Alphabetical entries in ink and pencil, with some items pasted in. Includes handwritten copies of orders from Seventeenth District superintendents, most notably Ralph R. Tinkham; rules and regulations; and other information Modeer needed to carry out his duties as commander. Also includes a blank form, "Pay Certificate by Retired Employee," 1932, that was found loose between the pages of the commonplace book.

The entries, handwritten in pencil, are arranged alphabetically by topic.