USS Welch

The USS Welch was a Federation starship, an exploratory vessel in Starfleet service in the 2400s decade. It was the last of several Federation vessels to vanish in the Xleen system. 

Service history
During the start of the Federation-Klingon War of 2405-2410, the Welch was one of several Federation ships visiting the mineral-rich Xleen system, which the Nausicaans attempted to annex.

In the year 2409, the Welch reported fixed Nausicaan turret emplacements in the debris field around the trinary star. This was the last transmission of the Welch, before it vanished, too.

Commander Akira Sulu, and following his promotion, Commander Samuel Winters, ordered another Starfleet ship to destroy these turrets, as the represented an unacceptable risk to Federation exploration teams.

The dispatched Starfleet patrol ship was able to eliminate all Nausicaan turrets and ships from the system, and the Welch was considered destroyed by these turrets.