USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-B) was captained by John Harriman, in Star Trek: Generations.
Overview[]
The USS Enterprise, Naval Construction Contract (NCC) 1701-B is the third Federation starship to bear the namesake of the Enterprise. As a tribute to the original Constitution-Class Enterprise, the Admiralty of Starfleet made a special dispensation that all future starships named the "Enterprise" would always bear the original ship's registry of NCC-1701 with the last letter would designate the model; in this case the letter B at the end of the construction code.
The Enterprise-B and her sister ships of the Excelsior-Class would go on to become highly distinguished and decorated starships within Starfleet and the Federation itself. Built in large numbers, starships of this class remains a highly visible presence even a century after they were first designed. Although technically surpassed as the cutting edge of Starfleet by other ships such as the Galaxy, Sovereign, Defiant, and Prometheus-Class designs; these ships remain as one of the most recognizable ship designs in existence and one of the backbones of the fleet itself. Fondly regarded as a true workhorse of a starship and is the current longest active service starship still in production and use in the 24th Century.
Technical Specifications[]
- CLASS: Excelsior-Class Starship (refit)
- TYPE: Heavy Cruiser Deep Space Explorer
- OVERALL LENGTH: 511.25 meters (1,677 feet)
- OVERALL BEAM: 195.64 meters (641.8 feet)
- OVERALL DRAFT: 86.76 meters (284.6 feet)
- MASS: 2,350,000 metric tons
- DISPLACEMENT:
- DECKS: 29
- CREW COMPLEMENT: 750 persons
- CRUISING SPEED: Warp 9
- MAXIMUM SPEED: Warp 9.6
Design Features[]
History[]
Among the fantastic discoveries achieved by the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701) during its five year mission undertaken by Captain James T. Kirk in 2265 to 2270 led to Federation scientists to what they believed was a quantum leap in interstellar propulsion. It was dubbed 'transwarp' as it was believed it would be faster and superior in speed to even warp drive. A purpose built test ship was constructed as proof of concept of this breakthrough and was dubbed the NX-2000, the USS Excelsior.
The starship itself became referred to as 'The Great Experiment' and was built as the next generation of heavy cruiser intended to be even more advanced than its predecessor; the Constitution-Class. The Excelsior was completed by 2285, but despite the Federation's best scientific minds; it would ultimately prove infeasible and a failure. Starfleet was loath to discard an entire starship and the Excelsior would be subsequently be refitted with standard warp drive nacelles and entered active Starfleet service in 2290 with the prefix of the NCC-2000.
Despite its troublesome and controversial history, the Excelsior spaceframe proved to be very sound and it was ultimately decided to build additional ships of the refitted class. In 2293, shortly before the first of the next generation of Excelsior-Class starships were completed; it was decided to retire the USS Enterprise (NCC-1701-A) and commission the first leading Excelsiors-Class Starship as the Enterprise-B or Enterprise-Beta.
Captain John Harriman was chosen to serve as the Enterprise-B's first commander. The youngest son of Admiral 'Black Jack' Harriman, John was convinced that he was a political appointee and his famous and influential father had pulled strings and favors to get him the center seat of the Enterprise-B.
Following the Khitomer Conference; on the Enterprise-B's maiden voyage, Starfleet invited the Command Crew of the Enterprise-A to attend along with a ship full of reporters to cover the historic event. Only Captains James T. Kirk and Montgomery Scott, and Commander Pavel Chekov were able to come in time for the ceremony. This event was marred by the loss of Captain James T. Kirk who apparently died, saving the Enterprise-B from a bizarre subspace anomaly known as "The Nexus".
Shaken to the core by the loss of Captain Kirk, Harriman considered resigning in disgrace but a brief encounter with Ambassador Spock stopped him and convinced Harriman that his decisions had saved 47 El-Aurians and insisted that was no small thing and nothing to be ashamed of and worthy of a Starfleet Captain. Harriman would go on to becoming one of the most decorated and well regarded captains in the fleet.
Despite the black reputation it earned from this tragedy, the Enterprise-B would earn distinction as the major exploration vessel of the Gourami Sector, mapping over 142 systems and making first contact with over 17 alien species. The Enterprise-B was subsequently lost in deep space in 2329 under the command of Captain Thomas Johnson, Jr.
See Also[]
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