She is formerly the oldest operating steam tugboat in the United States, but at present does not hold an operating license issued by the US Coast Guard, so is unable to leave her dock at the Baltimore Museum of Industry on Key Highway, Baltimore.

Baltimore was built and operated as a harbor inspection tug, capable of acting as a municipal tugboat for city barges, as well as an official welcoming vessel and VIP launch, an auxiliary fireboat, and as a light icebreaker.

[4] Baltimore is equipped with a compound reciprocating steam engine, fed by a Scotch marine boiler.

The hull form is typical for its time, with an upright stem, moderate sheer and elliptical stern.

[5] The tug is powered by a compound double-acting, vertical-inverted steam reciprocating engine, a common type for tugboats.

The pump system provides a moderate fire fighting capability through two hose standpipes on top of the pilothouse.

[5] A 5.5 kW Westinghouse dynamo provides electrical power, driven by an American Blocwer steam engine at 500 RPM.

The electrical system was unusual in 1906, and was fitted when the yard was able to build the tug for substantially less than the estimated cost.

The large wheel dominates the house, its size dictated by the entirely manual steering gear, an anachronistic feature for the time.

[5] A 20 feet (6.1 m) Kallenweller metal lifeboat for eleven people is carried on chocks above the engine room skylight on the deckhouse, lifted by pipe davits.

[5] Baltimore acted as a general-purpose harbor vessel, taking on roles as needed in her capacity as a representative of the city.

Luckton proposed to use Baltimore as a tow vessel for a barge carrying 100,000 books bound for Puerto Rico.