The Thomas Howard had a long career in the pilot boat service.

[2]: p62 Pilot James A. Orton, in 1880, kept a journal of the daily life aboard the Thomas Howard.

[2] The Thomas Howard was registered as a pilot Schooner with the Record of American and Foreign Shipping from 1881 to 1907.

Her dimensions were 79.2 ft. in length; 20.6 ft. breadth of beam; 7.6 ft. depth of hold; and 51-tons Tonnage.

[4][5] On July 13, 1890, the Delaware pilot boat Thomas Howard towed into the Delaware Breakwater the British steamer Andes, which was found floating about the ocean having lost her propeller, which left her helpless.