 She was named after King Agamemnon , a prominent figure in ancient Greek mythology who participated in the Siege of Troy , and was the first Royal Navy vessel to bear the name . Lord Nelson regarded her as his favourite ship , and to her crew she was known by the affectionate nickname ' Eggs – and – Bacon ' . According to an article in The Gentleman 's Magazine , her crew renamed her as they did not like the classical names that were in vogue at the Admiralty during this period ( the crews of Bellerophon and Polyphemus also ' renamed ' their ships , to ' Billy Ruffian ' and ' Polly Infamous ' respectively , for the same reason ) . 
