The USS Samson was a Miranda-class starship in service to Starfleet in the late 24th century.
By 2372, the Samson weapons systems had been upgraded with pulse phasers that had been developed with Defiant-class escorts. The Samson was also equipped with an enhanced deflector shield system.
In mid-2372 the Samson, under the command of Captain Roger Adrian, engaged the newly-launched USS Enterprise-E in war games in a test of their new weapons and tactical strategies. During the course of the war games, the Enterprise led the Samson into a planetary nebula near Pentara, and the Samson suffered damage to most of her systems.
Thankfully, the Enterprise was able to tow the Samson out of the deadly radiation zone located in the nebula. Following the ship's rescue, the Samson transported several officers to the Enterprise, including chief of security Linda Addison.
Shortly after leaving the area, a problem developed in the Samson's plasma control system, and the ship was destroyed with the loss of all hands. (TNG eBook: A Sea of Troubles)