USS Hero (1861)

The USS Hero was a steam-powered, double-ended gunboat acquired by the Union Navy during the American Civil War. She was used primarily for patrol and blockade duties along the coasts of the Confederacy.

Built in 1861 in New York City, the Hero was purchased by the Navy in October of the same year. She was commissioned shortly thereafter and assigned to the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Her shallow draft made her particularly suited for operations in the inlets and rivers of the Carolinas and Georgia.

Throughout the war, the Hero participated in various engagements and successfully intercepted numerous blockade runners attempting to supply Confederate forces. She played a role in maintaining the Union blockade, thereby restricting the flow of goods and supplies to the Confederacy.

Following the cessation of hostilities in 1865, the Hero was decommissioned. She was subsequently sold into private hands. Her ultimate fate and later usage are less well documented. While her service was not marked by major battles, the USS Hero contributed significantly to the overall Union war effort through her diligent blockade duties.