ITS Espero is a missile and anti-submarine Unit of the Maestrale class. She was built at Riva Trigoso, launched on November 19, 1983 and entered service on May 4, 1985.

In the past, two other units of the Italian Navy bore the name “Espero”: the first was a “Nembo Class” Torpedo boat built in Naples, in service from April 1905 to January 1921, when the name was changed in “Turbine.” She was condemned in April 1923. During World War I, ITS Espero operated in the Ionian and Southern Adriatic seas, mostly for maritime traffic protection and coast patrolling. At the end of the war, she was deployed in the Northern Adriatic Sea, defending Pola and then Fiume.  Towards to her last years in service, having changed her name in “Turbine,” the Unit  was active in Venice at the Mechanics’ School, for the practical training of the Cadets.

The second Espero was in service from April 1925 to June 1940. A “Turbine Class” Destroyer, she was built at the “Ansaldo” shipyards in Sestri Ponente;  she could reach a 36 notch top speed. In 1932 the Espero was deployed in the Far East, to participate in the defense of our national interests in that region, carrying out missions on Chinese rivers and ports. In 1937/38, during the Spanish War, she successfully carried out 22 missions in the Western Mediterranean to combat smuggling of war material and to protect maritime traffic. She was then assigned to the Taranto base and periodically displaced to Tobruk.

During a trip to this port, on June 28, 1940, ITS Espero was attacked by surprise by five British cruisers. Hit by the first discharges, she maneuvered  to facilitate the retreat of the other two units: Ostro and Zeffiro, so that they could disengage and reach Bengasi. Riddled with bullets, trapped and  with just one installation working, ITS Espero fought fiercely before sinking, to her enemy’s admiration.  The Gold Medal for Bravery was awarded  to the memory of her heroic Commander, Captain Enrico Baroni.

"Espero" is the breeze  blowing from the West at sunset. In Greek mythology, Hesperus was the legendary master of the Western territories, son of Eos and Astraeus,  who, according to tradition, after climbing on Atlas’ back to watch the stars, was taken by surprise by a hurricane and disappeared. His name was then given  to the star that appears first at night announcing the time for rest. Another tradition tells that Aphrodite took a fancy to him, abducted him and turned him into a star, which became the most beautiful star in the sky. For the Latins  he was Vesper,  the planet Venus in the evening.   According to Hesiod, his name comes from the Greek “αφρός”, meaning foam; in fact one of the myths on the genesis of the beautiful goddess wants her to be the daughter Uranus, born of the sea foam, who floated ashore on a sea shell.

 ITS Espero’s Crest represents “The birth of Venus” painted by  Sandro Botticelli in 1482, (inspired by Hesiod’s legend who identifies the Roman goddess with the Greek one) where he  depicted a light breeze from the West (Hesperus) gracefully agitating Venus’ hair. The image is completed by the Big Dipper as it appeared on the sky at sun set on November 19, 1983, when the Fregate Espero was launched, and by a  Compass Rose, the symbol common to all the Units of the same class.