CSS Scorpion was a Squib-class torpedo boat that served in the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War. Armed with a single spar torpedo, she originally served guard duty on the James River after being built in late 1864. Along with the rest of the James River Squadron, Scorpion moved downriver on January 23, 1865, and participated in the Battle of Trent's Reach. After performing depth soundings near Union obstructions, Scorpion moved to get a lantern from the ironclad CSS Virginia II, but ran into a hawser and then ran aground. At 07:10 on the morning of January 24, Union fire struck the abandoned tender CSS Drewry, which then exploded. The force of the explosion swept Scorpion out of control downriver. An attempt to rescue her that night failed, and she was captured by Union forces.
Construction and characteristics
During the American Civil War, the Union blockade was slowly destroying the economy of the rebelling Confederate States of America. The first use of torpedo boats in attempting to break the blockade came in October 1863. The attack damaged a Union vessel, and the partial success led the Confederates to build additional torpedo boats. Multiple designs were used, including a group known as the Squib-class built at Richmond, Virginia. Lieutenant Hunter Davidson playing a significant role in the design.
CSS Scorpion, one of the Squib-class, was constructed in late 1864, and was long, had a beam of , and a depth of hold of . Tonnage for the class is unknown. The Squib-class ships were powered by two oscillating condensing engines, which had a diameter cylinder and a stroke, as well a single boiler. According to a Union engineer, she could go at "a fair speed for a boat of her kind". Her crew of five or six operated steer gear that was located towards the front of the vessel. Her armament was a single spar torpedo mounted to a spar shaft that measured