Tode was a 1912 graduate of New York Nautical School (now SUNY Maritime College), and later served as an instructor and Chief Engineer at the school. He was known for his advocacy of a strong Merchant Marine, especially through his leadership of the Propeller Club, which he built into an influential national organization. Materials include correspondence, publications, diary extracts, clippings, photographs, medals, and other career related documents.

Records relating to the governance and activities of the Port of New York chapter of the Women's Propeller Club as well as its national parent organization. Additionally, there are a small quanitity of documents related to three other maritime organizations (the Seamen's Church Institute, South Street Seaport, and City Island Historical Society).