CSS Scorpion: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Squib-class torpedo boat procured late in 1864 by the Confederate States Navy}}

{{Other ships|USS Scorpion|HMS Scorpion}}

{{good article}}

{|{{Infobox ship begin}}

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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 boat]]s 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 torpedo boat|''Squib''-class]] built at [[Richmond, Virginia]]. [[Lieutenant]] Hunter Davidson playing a significant role in the design.{{sfn|Pry|Zeitlin|1984|pp=384{{endash}}385}}

CSS ''Scorpion'', one of the ''Squib''-class, was constructed in late 1864, and was {{convert|46|ft|m}} long, had a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|6|ft|3|in|m}}, and a [[depth of hold]] of {{convert|3|ft|9|in|m}}.<ref name="DANFS">{{cite web |title=Scorpion |url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/history/nhhc/research/histories/ship-histories/confederate_ships/scorpion.html |publisher=Naval History and Heritage Command |access-date=27 February 2022}}</ref> [[Tonnage]] for the class is unknown.{{sfn|Silverstone|1989|p=219}} The ''Squib''-class ships were powered by two [[oscillating engine|oscillating condensing engines]], which had a {{convert|7|in|cm|adj=on}} diameter [[cylinder (engine)|cylinder]] and a {{convert|6|in|cm|adj=on}} [[stroke (engine)|stroke]], as well a single [[boiler]]. According to a Union engineer, she could go at "a fair speed for a boat of her kind".{{sfn|Campbell|2000|p=105}} Her crew of five or six{{sfn|Pry|Zeitlin|1984|p=385}} operated steer gear that was located towards the front of the vessel.{{sfn|Campbell|2000|p=105}} Her armament was a single [[spar torpedo]] mounted to a spar shaft that measured {{convert|18|ft|m}}<ref name="DANFS" /> or {{convert|16|ft|m}} long.{{sfn|Coski|2005|pp=125{{endash}}126}} The torpedoes used were {{convert|5|in|cm}} in diameter,<ref name="DANFS" /> and the spar could be raised or lowered by the ship's crew using a chain and tackle system.{{sfn|Coski|2005|p=126}} Thin plates of iron served as armor on the ships's sides.{{Sfn|Pry|Zeitlin|1984|p=385}}

==Service history==

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==Sources==

* {{cite book |last=Campbell |first=R. Thomas |title=Hunters of the Night: Confederate Torpedo Boats in the War Between the States |publisher=Burd Street Press |date=2000 |___location=Shippensburg, Pennsylvania |isbn=1-57249-202-3}}

* {{cite book |last=Coski |first=John M. |title=Capital Navy: The Men, Ships, and Operations of the James River Squadron |publisher=Savas Beatie |date=2005 |orig-year=20061996 |___location=New York |isbn=978-1-932714-15-9}}

* {{cite journal |last1=Pry |first1=Peter |last2=Zeitlin |first2=Richard |title=Torpedo Boats: Secret Weapons of the South |journal=Warship International |date=1984 |volume=21 |issue=4 |pages=384{{endash}}393}}

* {{cite book |last=Silverstone |first=Paul H. |title=Warships of the Civil War Navies |publisher=Naval Institute Press |___location=Annapolis, Maryland |date=1989 |isbn=978-0-87021-783-8}}

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{{Squib class torpedo boat}}