The fonds consists of records which document the business activities and interests of Adams & Knickle Ltd. from 1897 until 1968. Information contained in this fonds provides insight into the company’s role as a major fishing and shipping partner in the fishing and shipping industry in Nova Scotia. Also included in this fonds is information about the company’s international relations with the various agents engaged in this industry; the types and amounts of fish landed, processed, shipped and sold by the company; the many transactions involved in operating vessels; and various events that impacted on the company’s operations. The types of documents include: affidavits, agent accounts, agreements, catch journals, correspondence, damage claims, deeds, employment records, financial statements, fish sales records, fishing contracts, ledgers, notices of protest, port documents, sailing journals, time journals, vessel accounts and journals, vessel certificates, and vessel shares.

This fonds includes a variety of photographic material relating to the Marine Workers Federation. As well this fonds contains a copy of the newspaper "The Nova Scotia Worker" Issued by the Nova Scotia Federation of Labour.