Chesapeake class

The Chesapeake-class was a type of Federation starship in use in the 23rd century, classified as a cruiser and alternately referred to as "an advanced defensive picket ship", and a destroyer.
 * (The "destroyer" reference is uncertain. See Challenger p13.)

While not as "pretty or sleek" as a Constitution-class starship, the Chesapeake was a tough, no-frills vessel meant for multiple duties from exploration to medium-range rescue and relay.

Hullform
The Chesapeake-class had the standard Starfleet saucer design, which was referred to as the "main section".

Weaponry
This class was equipped with an aft phaser array.

Bridge
This class had an unusual bridge arrangement in that it was split into two distinct levels. As well as the standard forward half of the command deck, a Science/Engineering section (or "sci-deck") was mounted literally on top of the bridge turbolift shaft in a half-circle balcony, a design meant to maximise use of the cruiser's support skeleton. Two narrow sets of ladder steps curved down to the command deck on either side of the turbolift alcove, and the balcony was separated from the more usual bridge layout seven feet below by a cold-moulded lattice grid fence that prevented tools and crew from falling under the sci-deck rail.

The command deck bridge stations included the Conn, Helm, Navigation, Tactical and Communications. Tactical was mounted to the port of the Helm console and Communications to starboard of the Navigation console, in the standard layout.

The sci-deck bridge stations included Science, Engineering, and Environmental & Life Support. The Engineering console was positioned on the balcony's starboard side, opposite the separate Science console to port. The Evironmental & Life Support station was situated behind these consoles against the rear bulkhead of the bridge.

The accoustics of this bridge were designed so that the sci-deck personnel could converse amongst themselves while not interrupting similar conversations on the command deck, giving each section some measure of privacy from the other. Ordinary conversation between the sections, however, was no different than on a standard-design bridge.

Laboratory & Crew Facilities
This class had limited lab space and only the most utilitarian of crew quarters for their crew of 80. There wasn't much room onboard for people to "get away" from each other or enjoy solitude.


 * (All data is from the TOS Novel New Earth: Challenger).

Known Vessels

 * USS Chesapeake
 * USS Peleliu