The USS Eagle (NCC-956) was a Federation starship, a Constitution-class (Bonhomme Richard-subclass) heavy cruiser in service to Starfleet in the 23rd century. This highly decorated and illustrious starship was crewed entirely by Andorians early in her service career. (TOS movie: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country, Decipher RPG module: Narrator's Guide)
- The Star Fleet Technical Manual gives the Eagle's registry as NCC-1719; however all other sources use NCC-956.
History
Like the other founding civilizations of the Federation, the Andorians received a Constitution-class ship to adapt and man primarily with their own species, the USS Eagle, though the Andorian crew preferred to call it the USS Atlirith, the Andorian word for eagle.
The ship was a joint project between Starfleet and the Andorian Imperial Guard, so that it could meet the needs of both organizations. It was constructed as a standard Constitution-class vessel at San Francisco Fleet Yards in 2247, and sent to Andoria for modification.
There, Andorian engineers spent a month modifying the artificial gravity systems, life support, and replicators to better suit its all Andorian crew. The crew also modified the computer systems to display Andorian graalek language rather than English. They also rearranged several minor interior walls to create an "arena" for the crew to train in. Starfleet personnel jokingly called this process "bluing the ship."
As soon as the engineering modifications were complete, Imperial Guard officers began integrating the latest Andorian military technology into the ships systems. This process took 3 months, mainly due to testing required by Starfleet. Among the improvements made: the targeting systems were substantially improved, the phaser emitters produced more energetic and better-focused beams, and the shields were upgraded. The upgrades did have their downsides however; space devoted to crew quarters was substantially reduced, and as such the Eagle has a below average crew complement, and is not well equipped to handle large passenger missions. Its computers are also less efficient in non-tactical matters, specifically producing lower sensor and communications efficiency.
The vessel was finally launched under the command of Captain Igrilan Kor, in late 2247 to fanfare at Starfleet Command as well as on Andoria. The vessels remained under his command much of its career, amassing one of the most decorated records in Starfleet. (Last Unicorn RPG module: The Andorians: Among the Clans)
Missions
Among the missions that made the Eagle famous were its defending against no less than 12 separate Klingon incursions between 2248 and 2266; serving as "the linchpin of Garth of Izar's envelopment strategy at Axanar, destroying the Vornek Brood before it could wipe out Deneb, and dramatically restoring the space-time continuum during the Phaleron-12 incident of 2268.
The Eagle also made an effort to return to Andoria at least once each year. (Last Unicorn RPG module: The Andorians: Among the Clans)
In 2260, Commander James T. Kirk transferred to the Eagle as first officer. Also serving aboard the Eagle was Carol Marcus, and the two resumed their relationship. Two months later, she left the Eagle stating that Starfleet was too restricting for her, but secretly she was pregnant. Kirk served twenty one months as first officer on the Eagle, before his promotion to the captaincy of the Oxford. (TOS comic: "Star-Crossed")
In 2275 the Eagle, under the command of Captain Igrilan Kor, became the first Federation vessel to encounter a Breen warship while on a routine patrol. While the initial first contact went well, Starfleet Command noted an uncertainty in Kor's report that the Breen seemed peaceful and decided not to make diplomatic overtures. (Decipher RPG module: Worlds)
In the 2290s, K. Garretson was her commanding officer.
In 2293, the Eagle was proposed to be part of the Operation Retrieve Fleet. The Eagle was on a colony supply mission in Sector 22858 at the time. (TOS movie: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country)
- The name of the Eagle's commanding officer and her precise location were on a page of the plans not seen in the movie.
Crew mManifest
The Eagle had an average crew complement of 405, with a maximum capability of carrying 200 passengers, or 3,000 emergency evacuation maximum. Like many starships of the 23rd century, several officers held two positions at the same time: First Officer Claness served as both First Officer and Chief Helmsman; Chief Science Officer Idisha also served as Chief Communications Officer. (Last Unicorn RPG module: The Andorians: Among the Clans)
- Commanding Officer:
- First Officer:
- Commander James T. Kirk (2259/2260-2261)
- Commander Khenarc Claness (at least 2269-)
- Chief Engineer:
- Lieutenant Commander Sherev Idisha (at least 2269-)
- Chief Science Officer:
- Lieutenant Commander Pierre Ratelle (at least 2260-before 2269)
- Lieutenant Commander Turath Ivos (at least 2269-)
- science officers:
- Lieutenant Carol Marcus (at least 2260-2260)
- Gerardi (at least 2260-)
- Communications Officer:
- Lieutenant Commander Turath Ivos (at least 2269-)
- Chief Helmsman:
- Commander Khenarc Claness (at least 2269-)
Appearances and references
- Last Unicorn RPG module: The Andorians: Among the Clans
- TOS video game: Starship Creator: Warp
- TOS movie: Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country
- TOS comic: "Star-Crossed"
Connections
| Bonhomme Richard-subclass (Constitution-class mk II class I/class XI cruiser/heavy cruiser starships) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Refit with mk II engines | Kongo |  
|
| Built to mk II specifications | Bismark • Bonhomme Richard • Centurion (fm. Farragut II) • Constellation II • Challenger • Eagle • El Dorado • Endeavour • Essex • Excelsior • Hornet • Intrepid • Kent • Merrimac • Monitor • Saratoga • Valiant II • Wasp • Yamato | |
| Authorized for construction | Ari • Defiance • Krieger • Lafayette • Tori | |
External link
- USS Eagle (NCC-956) article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.