The "Forrest" participated in the Battle of Roanoke Island on February 7, 1862, during which her commanding officer, Lt. J. L. Hoole, CSN, was seriously wounded. Furthermore, "Forrest" was disabled late in the action "by the displacement of her propeller" and towed to Elizabeth City, N.C., for repairs. There, three days later, while out of water on the marine railway, she was burned to prevent capture by Union forces.