| History | |
|---|---|
 Confederate States | |
| Name | Scorpion |
| In service | Late 1864 |
| Fate | Abandoned and captured |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Squib-class torpedo boat |
| Length | 46 feet (14 m) |
| Beam | 6 feet 3 inches (1.91 m) |
| Depth of hold | 3 feet 9 inches (1.14 m) |
| Armament | 1x spar torpedo |
| Armor | Thin iron plates |
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.