High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! The first USS Tunxis was launched on 4 June 1864 at Chester, PA, by Reaney, Son, and Archbold; and commissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard on 12 July 1864. On 21 September 1864, the light-draft monitor departed the sheltered waters of the navy yard on her maiden voyage. However, she soon began taking on water at such an alarming rate that she came about and returned to Philadelphia where she was decommissioned later in the month.