USS Potemkin (NCC-18253)

The USS Potemkin (NCC-18253) was an Excelsior-class Federation starship in service during the 24th century.

In 2361, the Potemkin was the last Federation starship to contact the Turkana IV colony, until the Enterprise-D's visit in 2367. A few weeks later, the Potemkin was assigned to evacuate a research station on Nervala IV. Lieutenant William T. Riker led the team that evacuated the personnel from the station, and was the last person to be transported out, which resulted in some problems due to the atmosphere, but Riker safely made it back. Unbeknownst to anyone until 2369, a second Will Riker had been created by the transporter and beamed back to the surface. (TNG episodes: "Legacy" and "Second Chances").

Shortly after the Klingon Civil War in 2368, the Potemkin is engaged by a Romulan Warbird, and the Potemkin successfully wins the encounter, with the Warbird withdrawing. (TNG novel: The Captain's Table: Dujonian's Hoard).

In 2371, the Potemkin, along with the USS Exeter, USS Hood, and IKS N'gat, were dispatched to Deep Space 9 to assist in fighting the Cardassians following the unearthing of a Cardassian tomb on the station. (DS9 novel: Station Rage).