CSS Scorpion: Difference between revisions

Revision as of 05:20, 8 March 2022

Revision as of 04:18, 9 March 2022

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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|oscilliating 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]]. Her steering gear was towards the front of the vessel. According to a Union engineer, she could go at "a fair speed for a boat of her kind".{{sfn|Campbell|2000|p=105}} The ''Squib''-class vessels were manned by aHer crew of five or six.{{sfn|Pry|Zeitlin|1984|p=385}} operated Theysteer weregear armedthat withwas alocated singletowards [[sparthe torpedo]].front of The torpedoes werethe vessel.{{convertsfn|5Campbell|in2000|cmp=105}} in diameter,Her andarmament thewas a single [[spar shafttorpedo]] itselfmounted wasto a spar shaft that eithermeasured {{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==