By 1898, in the age of steam, she was the last pilot boat left in the fleet; then sold in 1898 to a group in Montego Bay, Jamaica.

On February 22, 1876, prominent naval architect Dennison J. Lawlor of Chelsea, Massachusetts, contracted Robert Crosbie to build the pilot-boat Centennial, for New York and New Jersey pilots[3] On June 24, 1876, the trail trip of the Pilot Boat Centennial, was witnessed by a party of gentlemen.

The raced was cut short after six miles, when the Lillie, sighted the steamship China and took off for the ship.

[3] The Centennial was registered with the Record of American and Foreign Shipping, from 1877–1879, to John Hopkins as master.

Pilots; her hailing port was Jersey City and she was listed as being built in East Boston, Massachusetts.

[6][7] On June 15, 1889, the pilot boat Centennial, was put up for sale for 25 percent ownership.

7, reported that the seaman Jacob Housen, fell from the bowsprit overboard and was lost off Shinnecook.

[6]: p380 By April 1898, in the age of steam, the Centennial, was the last pilot boat left in the fleet.

[10] Then, on September 16, 1898, the pilot boat Centennial, was sold to parties in Montego Bay, Jamaica.