The Thomas Spear was rebuilt in 1880 at Sturgeon Bay using the machinery from the tug Home. Last Document Surrendered Milwaukee 10/12/1880: "Total Loss". A new vessel by the same name was built in 1882 in Green Bay by Spear.
The tug Thomas Spear while towing two scows loaded with stone from Two Rivers to Ahnapee, caught fire off Carlton on 9/24/1880. The crew abandoned the tug and reached shore safely. Meanwhile, the tug drifted ashore fifteen miles north of Two Rivers and burned to the water's edge. The two scows were eventually picked up by the tug Gregory and taken to Ahnapee. When the wreck was later visited, it was found to be "60 rods beyond Sand Bay, destroyed beyond rebuild."