Final answer:
In 1862, Robert Smalls became a Union naval war hero by stealing a Confederate ship called the CSS Planter and delivering it to the Union Navy.
Step-by-step explanation:
In 1862, Robert Smalls became a Union naval war hero by successfully stealing a Confederate ship called the CSS Planter and delivering it to the Union Navy.
On May 12, 1862, Smalls, who was an enslaved African American, was serving aboard the CSS Planter as a pilot when he decided to seize the opportunity to escape to freedom. In the early hours of the morning, when the white officers left the ship to spend the night onshore, Smalls and a few other enslaved crew members took control of the ship and steered it past Confederate defenses to the Union blockade.
Smalls' daring act not only delivered a valuable Confederate ship to the Union Navy, but it also provided valuable information about Confederate naval defenses and plans. His bravery and resourcefulness made him a celebrated hero and played a significant role in the Union's efforts to defeat the Confederacy.