During the [[American Civil War]], the [[Union blockade]] was slowly destroying the economy of the rebelling [[Confederate States of America]]. InThe anfirst attemptuse to break the blockade, theof [[torpedo boat]]s [[CSSin David|CSSattempting ''David]]to attackedbreak the Unionblockade [[ironclad]]came [[USSin NewOctober Ironsides|USS1863. ''NewIronsides'']]The onattack Octoberdamaged 5,a Union 1863vessel, damagingand the Unionpartial vessel.success Afterwards,led the Confederates continued to build additional torpedo boats. WhileMultiple somedesigns were builtused, to a similar pattern to ''David'',including a group, known as the [[Squib-class torpedo boat|''Squib''-class]], were built at [[Richmond, Virginia]],. to a different pattern, with [[Lieutenant]] Hunter Davidson playing a significant role in the design.{{sfn|Pry|Zeitlin|1984|pp=384{{endash}}385}}
CSS ''Scorpion'', Oneone of the ''Squib''-class torpedo boats was ''Scorpion''. She, 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 a crew of five or six.{{sfn|Pry|Zeitlin|1984|p=385}} They were armed with a single [[spar torpedo]]. The torpedoes were {{convert|5|in|cm}} in diameter, and the spar shaft itself was either {{convert|18|ft|m}}<ref name="DANFS" /> or {{convert|16|ft|m}} long.{{sfn|Coski|2005|pp=125{{endash}}126}} 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}}
