The workload of the Heros tugboats increased especially during World War II.

In September 1940, Hero and Heroine were manoeuvring the 11,800 ton freighter Northumberland into a wharf at Jones Bay. When swinging away from the ship, Hero's stern touched the bow of the ship, rolling the tug over and forcing it under the keel of the ship. The crew was rescued except for 60-year-old engineer John Downie who went down with Hero. Divers found Hero resting on the bottom in 150 feet of water at Blue's Point, Sydney Harbour.

With a high demand for steel during the war the question of building another tug to replace Hero was out of the question. It was decided to raise Hero and refurbish the tug for service. Plans were put in place in 1942 to salvage Hero and by November 1943 experienced American naval divers had arrived to undertake the operation. Dunlop Rubber manufactured 16 air bags. Each bag had the capacity to lift 30 tons. Inflating the bags would raise Hero to the surface. Floated to Fenwick's Dry Dock, a £15,000 refurbishment would be undertaken. In March 1945, Hero was once more licensed as a tugboat.

Before 1949, Hero, along with Waratah Tug Service's Warang, was placed in Port Kembla for six months at a time. From 1949 both tugs were permanently based at Port Kembla. The workload increased when it was planned to construct the Inner Harbour.

The Sydney Morning Herald carried a story in May 1950 titled "60-year-old tugs are still at work". The feature story was a lead-up to all tugs being fitted with two-way radios.

On July 13, 1960, a gale was blowing furiously, tossing ships around at their berths in the Port Kembla outer harbour. The Bulwarra, a 6000-ton cargo vessel, broke its aft line. Hero came to the aid of Bulwarra by taking a tow line. Suddenly, the tow line snapped and in no time the line fouled Hero's propeller. With no power, Hero was driven on to the rocks, tearing a hole in its hull. It came to rest on its side in the shallows near the entrance to the inner harbour.

At the time of the official opening of the Inner Harbour in November 1960, it was Himma who snatched the honour of towing the decorated Iron Yampi into the new harbour.

Hero lay in the outer harbour until 1963, when the decision was made to allow ship breakers in to remove what remained of it.

The story of the steam tug Hero shows it had quite a colourful and eventful career and, no doubt, was aptly named.

It was always a welcome sight to many a tired and weary seafarer. Hero's life and career ended on the tug's 68th birthday.

Information courtesy of Carol Herben, OAM.  Call 0409 832 854 or email sycado6@bigpond.net.au