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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Return to Naval Historical Center homepageHero
The schooner Hero and the steamer Hero are former names retained. The monitor Hero Is named for a priestess of Aphrodite at Sestos who, according to Greek legend, threw herself into the Hellespont after her lover, Leander, had drowned while swimming from Abydos to meet her.
II
The screw steamer Hero was purchased at Philadelphia 11 July 1864; commissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard 14 July, Acting Ensign James Brown in command; and renamed Moccasin (q.v.) 25 July.