Penelope was completed at Devonport Dockyard on 27 June 1868 for the cost of £196,789 and served in the Channel Fleet until June 1869. She was then guard ship at Harwich until 1882, which included summer cruises in company with the rest of the reserve fleet.
Penelope was finished at Devonport Dockyard on 27 June 1868 for £196,789 and served in the Channel Fleet from June 1869 to then being stationed as a guard ship at Harwich until 1882, which included summer voyages with the rest of the reserve fleet.