| History | |
|---|---|
 United Kingdom | |
| Name | Hero |
| Owner | T.Ayles & Co. |
| Builder | South America[1] |
| Launched | c.1795 |
| Acquired | 1806 |
| Captured | January 1809 |
| General characteristics | |
| Tons burthen | 266[2][3] (bm) |
| Complement | 30[3] |
| Armament |
|
Hero was built in South America around 1795. She first appeared inLloyd's Register (LR) in 1807. Captain Barnabas Gardner acquired aletter of marque on 15 June 1807.[3] He then sailed her as awhaler British in the British Southern Whale Fishery. A privateer captured her off Peru in January 1809.
Hero enteredLR in 1807 with Gardner, master, T.Ayles & Co., owners, and trade London–South Seas.[2]
On 24 June 1807Hero passed by Portsmouth, as didMemphis, Hitchman, master, andPandora, Anderson, master, all three whalers bound for the River Plate.[4] On 13 July the three vessels passed by Madeira, still bound for the Plate.[5]
Hero andPandour arrived at Montevideo on 2 September and sailed for their destinations on 11 September.[6]Memphis never arrived.
The privateerFleche capturedHero, of London, Gardner, master, in January 1809 off Tombaz, on the coast of Peru.Herostruck after an engagement of an hour and a half.[7] Alternatively, the action may have taken place offCoquimbo.[1]