Guide:Starships and Other Large Vessels: Difference between revisions

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There exists some ambiguity as to what is meant by ‘starship’. Modern reference works often go by
There exists some ambiguity as to what is meant by "starship". Modern reference works often go by
the modern definition, a straightforward approach somewhat ill suited for describing even the
the modern definition, a straightforward approach somewhat ill suited for describing even the
relatively brief history of Starfleet vessels. While any interstellar vessel from rather arbitrary size up
relatively brief history of Star Fleet vessels. While any interstellar vessel from rather arbitrary size up
can nowadays be considered starship, the designation was originally reserved for the best and
can nowadays be considered "starship", the designation was originally reserved for the best and
biggest ships only. During the 22nd and 23rd centuries, ‘starship’ was largely analogous to the 19th-
biggest ships only. During the [[22nd century|22nd]] and [[23rd century|23rd]] centuries, ‘starship’ was largely analogous to the [[19th century|19th]]-
20th century designation ‘battleship’ in describing a rare and expensive capital ship that could take
[[20th century]] designation "battleship" in describing a rare and expensive capital ship that could take
as much as she could dish out and triumph over all other vessel types. Such martial criteria only told
as much as she could dish out and triumph over all other vessel types. Such martial criteria only told
half the story, of course, as a starship was also characterized by her exceptional speed and range, as
half the story, of course, as a starship was also characterized by her exceptional speed and range, as
well as by the quality and quantity of the research gear she carried. While lesser vessels could
well as by the quality and quantity of the research gear she carried. While lesser vessels could
challenge a starship in any one of these fields, the truest definition for starship in this time period
challenge a starship in any one of these fields, the truest definition for starship in this time period
must be ‘ace of all trades’.
must be "ace of all trades".


Given the obvious ease by which vessels from outside Earth could trump humanity’s high card in
Given the obvious ease by which vessels from outside [[Earth]] could trump humanity’s high card in
the formative years of the United Federation of Planets, it should further be simple to understand
the formative years of the [[United Federation of Planets]], it should further be simple to understand
why Earth documentation from that era almost invariably attributes such ships with the starship
why Earth documentation from that era almost invariably attributes such ships with the starship
designation. The scope of this work limits our ability but also our need to more closely examine the
designation. The scope of this work limits our ability but also our need to more closely examine the
native designation schemes for off-Earth designs, until these merge with the UFP Starfleet practices.
native designation schemes for off-Earth designs, until these merge with the [[UFP Star Fleet]] practices.


Of the lesser vessels, too many variants gross and subtle exist or have existed to be listed here.
Of the lesser vessels, too many variants gross and subtle exist or have existed to be listed here.
Large combat-dedicated vessels have been built to many different specifications, nomers like
Large combat-dedicated vessels have been built to many different specifications, nomers like
‘frigate’ or ‘destroyer’ being applied under criteria that have varied with time or political pressures.
"frigate" or "destroyer" being applied under criteria that have varied with time or political pressures.
Research has called for specialized as well as generalized types, depending both on the subject and
Research has called for specialized as well as generalized types, depending both on the subject and
scope of the study and the circumstances in which the research has to be conducted. Half a dozen
scope of the study and the circumstances in which the research has to be conducted. Half a dozen
distinct types of logistics vessels have always existed under the generic military designation
distinct types of logistics vessels have always existed under the generic military designation
‘transport’, and an untold number of special types have filled the many niche roles without which a
"transport", and an untold number of special types have filled the many niche roles without which a
space combat and exploration force could not survive.
space combat and exploration force could not survive.


The evolution of the various categories of large stargoing vessels will unfold in the following
The evolution of the various categories of large star-going vessels will unfold in the following
chronologically ordered chapters. Obvious parallels are to be found in the waterborne navies of
chronologically ordered chapters. Obvious parallels are to be found in the waterborne navies of
Earth, from which the Standard vocabulary used here largely derives.
Earth, from which the Standard vocabulary used here largely derives.

Revision as of 06:26, 27 July 2018

Part I: Starships and Other Large Vessels

“ The starships of the Federation are the physical, tangible manifestations of Humanity´s stubborn insistence that life does indeed mean something. ”

– Spock


There exists some ambiguity as to what is meant by "starship". Modern reference works often go by the modern definition, a straightforward approach somewhat ill suited for describing even the relatively brief history of Star Fleet vessels. While any interstellar vessel from rather arbitrary size up can nowadays be considered "starship", the designation was originally reserved for the best and biggest ships only. During the 22nd and 23rd centuries, ‘starship’ was largely analogous to the 19th- 20th century designation "battleship" in describing a rare and expensive capital ship that could take as much as she could dish out and triumph over all other vessel types. Such martial criteria only told half the story, of course, as a starship was also characterized by her exceptional speed and range, as well as by the quality and quantity of the research gear she carried. While lesser vessels could challenge a starship in any one of these fields, the truest definition for starship in this time period must be "ace of all trades".

Given the obvious ease by which vessels from outside Earth could trump humanity’s high card in the formative years of the United Federation of Planets, it should further be simple to understand why Earth documentation from that era almost invariably attributes such ships with the starship designation. The scope of this work limits our ability but also our need to more closely examine the native designation schemes for off-Earth designs, until these merge with the UFP Star Fleet practices.

Of the lesser vessels, too many variants gross and subtle exist or have existed to be listed here. Large combat-dedicated vessels have been built to many different specifications, nomers like "frigate" or "destroyer" being applied under criteria that have varied with time or political pressures. Research has called for specialized as well as generalized types, depending both on the subject and scope of the study and the circumstances in which the research has to be conducted. Half a dozen distinct types of logistics vessels have always existed under the generic military designation "transport", and an untold number of special types have filled the many niche roles without which a space combat and exploration force could not survive.

The evolution of the various categories of large star-going vessels will unfold in the following chronologically ordered chapters. Obvious parallels are to be found in the waterborne navies of Earth, from which the Standard vocabulary used here largely derives.

Part I: The Eras


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