On January 18, 1897, the iron keel for the pilot boat America weighting six tons, was taken by a six-horse team to John Bishop's shipyard at Vincent's point, in Gloucester, Massachusetts.

[1] On February 28, 1897, Boston's new pilot boat America was on the stocks at the John Bishop's shipyard.

She was built of white oak frame planking and fastened with galvanized iron and bolts and spikes below the waterline.

[5] The Boston America did not resemble her famous namesake, rather she was designed with a fishing schooner 'Indian head' bow.

[6] On July 8, 1897, the pilot-boat America was in the Fisherman's Race against the fishing schooner James S. Steele.

Pilot Bruce McLean took the place of Captain James Reid who was on the battleship USS Massachusetts.

1, brought into Long Wharf the fruit steamer Admiral Schley through a thick fog 140 miles from the South Shoal lightship.

Captain James Reid boarded the Warren liner Sagamore, from the America station boat on November 3, 1901.

1, carried the ashes of Captain Franklin Fowler, encased in a small rosewood box, at the National Dock wharf, East Boston.