[1] For a time housed over, Franklin was launched on 17 September 1864 and commissioned on 3 June 1867 at Boston, Massachusetts.

On 28 June 1867, Franklin departed New York City as flagship of Admiral David Glasgow Farragut, who assumed command of the European Squadron.

Franklin's second tour in the European Squadron, beginning on 28 January 1869, was as flagship for Rear Admiral William Radford.

Ambassador, Horace Maynard, requested that Franklin steam to the Aegean Sea to protect U.S. interests and citizens.

[3] Later that year, Franklin transported the corrupt politician William M. "Boss" Tweed — arrested in Spain after escaping from Ludlow Street Jail in New York City — from Spain to New York City, where she arrived on 23 November 1876.

[7] Franklin remained in service as a receiving ship at Norfolk until 14 October 1915, which marked her final decommissioning.