CSS Drewry was a gunboat of the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War. This wooden gunboat had a foredeck protected by an iron V-shaped shield. Classed as a tender, she was attached to Flag Officer French Forrest's James River Squadron sometime in 1863 with Master Lewis Parrish, CSN, in command. In addition to transporting troops and other routine service, she took part in several engagements along the river prior to January 24, 1865, when, in Trent's Reach, she was destroyed by two shots from a 100-pounder rifle in a battery of the 1st Connecticut Artillery. The second hit exploded her magazine as she assisted CSS Richmond to get afloat; all but two of her crew had reached safety before the explosion. Commanders The commanders of the CSS Drewry were: William Harwar Parker (May-fall 1862) Master Lewis Parrish (around October 1863-May 1864) Lieutenant William B. Hall (May 19-May 21, 1864) Lieutenant William H. Wall (June 1864-January 23, 1865) See also Battle of Trent's Reach Notes References Coski, John M. Capital Navy: The Men, Ships and Operations of the James River Squadron, Campbell, CA: Savas Woodbury Publishers, 1996, Drewry Shipwrecks of the James River Shipwrecks of the American Civil War 1863 ships Maritime incidents in January 1865 Hampton-class gunboats