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	Commanders: Lt. James W. Cooke
	Lt. James L. Hoole
	Original Name: J. A. Smith
	Tonnage: 109 5/95 tons
	Rig: Wood hull screw steamer
	Dimensions: 93’6” x 17’5” x 7’2”
	Built By: Morgan L. Taylor
	Location/Year: West Troy, NY, 1855
	Home Port: Norfolk, VA (enrollment #8 – 29 Feb. 1856)
	Description: 1 deck, no mast, round stern, no figurehead
	Engine/Boilers: Converted to high-pressure steam, 1856
	Commissioned: 27 July 1861
	Armament: 1 – 32 pdr.
Service Record · Originally part of the North Carolina Navy; sold to the Confederacy · Defense of Roanoke Island, 7-8 February 1862 · Burned to prevent capture in Elizabeth City, NC, 10 February 1862
Originally named the CSS Weldon N. Edwards, the CSS Forrest was part of the North Carolina Navy prior to North Carolina joining the Confederacy. Her propeller shaft became displaced during the battle of Roanoke Island and she was towed to Elizabeth City for repairs. She was burned on the ways of the shipyard to prevent her capture during the battle of Elizabeth City on 10 February 1862.