The Agnes Arnold, originally built and listed as the steam screw Bob Mills, was built by Van Slyke & Notter in Buffalo, New York, in 1864. It was a 68-foot-long wooden propeller tug measuring 30.4 gross tons. The following year, the tug exploded and was rebuilt. It was again rebuilt in 1880. The vessel was renamed the Agnes Arnold in 1890 and converted to a propeller tug. It received a new scotch boiler in 1892, and ownership was transferred to James M. Clow of Marinette, Michigan. Not much is known about the service history of the vessel.
On May 31, 1898, the Agnes Arnold, commanded then by Captain Clow, was docked in the harbor at the north end of Chamber's Island, in Door County, Wisconsin. It caught fire and totally burned there. The loss was estimated at $3,500 and was insured for $2,000.
The actual location and condition of the Agnes Arnold have not yet been confirmed by field investigation.