Plymouth's keel was laid down as Kenosha at the New York Navy Yard in 1867; completed in 1868; and commissioned on 20 January 1869 with Captain William H. McComb in command.

From southern France, she continued on to Portsmouth, England, whence she accompanied the British turreted battleship HMS Monarch, carrying the remains of George Peabody, American merchant, financier and philanthropist, to the United States for burial.

Plymouth departed New York on 12 July 1870 and steamed to the Mediterranean Sea where Rear Admiral Charles Boggs selected her as flagship of the European Station, 21 September.

During Plymouth's service in the European Station, two sailors and one marine were awarded the Medal of Honor for rescuing others from drowning: Quarter Gunner George Holt and Landsman Paul Tobin at the Port of Hamburg, Germany, on 3 July 1871 and Corporal James A. Stewart at Ville Franche, France, on 1 February 1872.

[1] On the occasion of Great Railroad Strike of 1877, Captain Barrett was called to Washington, where he organized a brigade of naval sailors and marines for the protection of the city and public establishments and held the command of the first aid force until all danger had passed.