Built in 1815 under the supervision of Samuel Humphreys and Charles Penrose she was the first vessel to be laid down at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.

She was superintended by her commander Captain John Smith, who died before or right around her launch in August 1815.

This is the description of USS Franklin from Journal of Hezekiah Loomis: a frigate of 74 guns, launched with bowsprit, drawing 13.6 forward and 17.2 aft.

Franklin was laid up in ordinary until the summer of 1838 when she was ordered to Boston as a receiving ship.

Parts from her were used in the construction of her successor, the screw frigate USS Franklin, launched in 1864.