Quinnebaug was built by the New York Navy Yard, launched on 31 March 1866; sponsored by Lt. Comdr. David B. Harmony; and commissioned on 19 July 1867, Comdr. Edward Barrett in command. The new gunboat departed New York on 31 August 1867 and cruised along the Atlantic coast of South America for almost three years before returning to Norfolk on 18 July 1870. She decommissioned there on the 29th and was laid up until broken up in 1871.