Difference between revisions of "Dreadnought (Individual Dreadnought-class WarShip)"
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{{otheruses|the first [[WarShip]] of the ''[[Dreadnought]]''-class|the ''[[Dreadnought (WarShip)|Dreadnought]]''-class of WarShips|Dreadnought (WarShip)}} | {{otheruses|the first [[WarShip]] of the ''[[Dreadnought]]''-class|the ''[[Dreadnought (WarShip)|Dreadnought]]''-class of WarShips|Dreadnought (WarShip)}} | ||
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==History== | ==History== | ||
| + | ===Construction and Terran Alliance Civil War=== | ||
Upon his assumption of [[Terran Space Navy|Alliance Global Navy]] command in [[2295]], Admiral [[James McKenna]] began a program of construction for true combat warships. It was the first of six similar vessels built at the orbiting shipyards of [[Terra]], [[Terra|Mars]] and [[Venus]]. | Upon his assumption of [[Terran Space Navy|Alliance Global Navy]] command in [[2295]], Admiral [[James McKenna]] began a program of construction for true combat warships. It was the first of six similar vessels built at the orbiting shipyards of [[Terra]], [[Terra|Mars]] and [[Venus]]. | ||
The TAS ''Dreadnought'' was launched as the flag ship for Admiral McKenna in [[2300]] and over a period of 14 years led a fleet of at least 26 ships for the Alliance Navy. McKenna eventually transferred his flag to the ''Black Lion'', another ''Dreadnought''-class vessel, and which would later give it's name to the ''[[Black Lion]]''-class WarShip. | The TAS ''Dreadnought'' was launched as the flag ship for Admiral McKenna in [[2300]] and over a period of 14 years led a fleet of at least 26 ships for the Alliance Navy. McKenna eventually transferred his flag to the ''Black Lion'', another ''Dreadnought''-class vessel, and which would later give it's name to the ''[[Black Lion]]''-class WarShip. | ||
| − | In response to the virtual civil war on Terra, between the [[Liberal Party|Liberal]] and [[Expansionist Party|Expansionist]] factions of the Alliance, the ''Dreadnought'' was used to bombard the island of Strand Rock, Scotland and another island off the coast of Australia from orbit, completely destroying them. This action on June 2, [[2315]] focused the attention of Terra and effectively ended the major fighting paving the way for the creation of the Terran Hegemony. | + | In response to the virtual civil war on Terra, between the [[Liberal Party|Liberal]] and [[Expansionist Party|Expansionist]] factions of the Alliance, the ''Dreadnought'' was used to bombard the island of Strand Rock, Scotland and another island off the coast of Australia from orbit, completely destroying them. This action on June 2, [[2315]] focused the attention of Terra and effectively ended the major fighting paving the way for the creation of the Terran Hegemony. <ref name=HLoTV1-78>''Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1'', p. 78 "Concuering the Hegemony - Last Stand of the Grand Old Queen"</ref> |
| − | The ''Dreadnought'' class | + | ===Terran Hegemony era=== |
| + | The THS ''Dreadnought'' would serve as the lead-ship in [[Director-General]] James McKenna's numerous [[Campaign of Persuasion|Campaigns of Persuasion]]. Even after Director-General McKenna transferred his flag to the first ''[[Black Lion I]]''-class battle cruiser, the ''Dreadnought'' would serve the Hegemony for more than two and half centuries, earning more battle stars and kill awards than any other WarShip in the [[Hegemony Armed Forces]]. Those awards were not earned without cost, the ''Dreadnought'' also suffered crippling damage in numerous battles as well as the highest number of crew casualties of any Hegemony ship, most notably a near-catastrophic fire during an early [[Age of War]] battle near [[Cylene]] after a disabled [[Draconis Combine]] [[Aerospace Fighter]] made a ''kamikaze'' run into the ship's port landing bay. In total the ''Dreadnought'' spent almost four decades in dock during her centuries of service life, repairing battle damage and undergoing service life extensions.<ref name=HLoTV1-78/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Star League era - Museum Ship=== | ||
| + | By the formation of the Star League in [[2571]], the ''Dreadnought'' was one of the last four remaining ''Dreadnought''-class ships, with all nearing the end of their viable service lives. Though the other three ships received their last of dozen lifetime upgrades in the [[2550]]s and [[2560|60s]], [[Commanding General]] [[Shandra Noruff-Cameron]] of the newly formed [[Star League Defense Forces]] chose to cancel the scheduled upgrade for the ''Dreadnought'' and assign all four of the ships to the League's reserve fleet. Ultimately while the three other ships would be reactived and see service during the [[Reunification War]] before their final retirements in [[2602]], the SLS ''Dreadnought'' instead became the cornerstone of the [[Luna Air, Space and Stars Museum]].<ref name=HLoTV1-78/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | In orbit around [[Luna]] above the sprawling museum complex, though designated a museum ship, the SLS ''Dreadnought'' remained active on the SLDF rolls. While many of her cargo bays were converted to showcases for notable artifacts from humanity's race to the stars, the ''Dreadnought'' retained a full crew of SLDF personnel, typically all on their final tours before retirement with her commanding officer always a retiring SLDF [[Rear Admiral]]. Thus the ''Dreadnought'' was maintained in pristine near-combat ready condition, as well as supporting a demonstration wing that flew a variety of vintage fighters during special shows and events. As of 27 December [[2766]], the ship was under the command of retiring Rear Admiral Marin Castillo.<ref name=HLoTV1-78/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ===Amaris Coup - Death of the Grand Old Queen=== | ||
| + | Considering the ''Dreadnought'' little more than a museum exhibit, Amaris' troops ignored it completely as they launched nuclear strikes against the two largest SLDF bases on Luna during the opening stages of [[Operation APOTHEOSIS]]. Rear Admiral Castillo ordered his crew to battle stations upon detecting the first explosions, but realized that with only limited fuel and ammunition that they could not make a viable contribution to the battle of Terra. Instead, the ''Dreadnought'' took aboard civilian refugees and survivors from the moon bases as the ship moved to dock with the orbiting Tranquility Base to refuel. Watching as the battle over Terra unfolded, Admiral Castillo broke orbit 18 hours after it began, escorting dozens of Civilian [[DropShip]]s as the ''Dreadnought'' traveled to Jupiter, stopping at the Deep Range Gunnery Station to rearm before jumping out of the system at a [[Pirate Point]], carrying thousands of passengers transferred from the civilian DropShips.<ref name=HLoTV1-78/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | For the next three weeks, the venerable ''Dreadnought'' would jump from system to system, watching from the edges to gauge the strength of the Republican defenders before striking and eliminating the invaders at the least defended [[Jump Point]], allowing numerous civilian ships to escape the Republican blockades. Castillo would slowly amass a civilian fleet of almost thirty [[JumpShip]]s and over sixty DropShips saved by the ''Dreadnought'', accompanying the WarShip as it attempted to make its way through the now hostile Hegemony to safety.<ref name=HLoTV1-78/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Unfortunately the ''Dreadnought''s luck finally ran out when Admiral Castillo's "fleet" reached the Hegemony border world of [[Wyatt]]. Ambushed by a heavy squadron of Republican ships, the ''Dreadnought'' held on for nearly thirty minutes of withering fire that crippled her engines, jump drive and most of her turrets, leaving her adrift. Seeking to deny the Republicans their prize, Admiral Castillo ordered the ''Dreadnought'' scuttled, the grand old ship destroyed and her surviving crew killed as her remaining ammunition magazines were detonated in unison. Watching from the safety of the other jump point, the civilian ships were finally able to jump to the safety of the [[Lyran Commonwealth]], taking with them stories of the horrors [[Stefan Amaris]] was inflicting upon the Hegemony as well as the courage of the ''Dreadnought'''s crew.<ref name=HLoTV1-78/> | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==Notes== | ||
| + | The ''Dreadnought'''s role as a museum ship desperately reactivated and guarding a fleet of civilian ships trying to escape an overwhelming foe is acknowledged as fairly overt homage to the modern [[w:Battlestar Galactica (2004 TV series)|Battlestar Galactica]] series, cemented by its captain sharing the same name as the character [[w:Edward James Olmos|Edward James Olmso]] (who played the Galactica's captain in the reboot) played in [[w:Miami Vice|Miami Vice]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==References== | ||
| + | <references /> | ||
==Bibliography== | ==Bibliography== | ||
* ''[[The Star League]]'', p. 13 | * ''[[The Star League]]'', p. 13 | ||
| + | * ''[[Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1]]'' | ||
* ''[[Historical: Reunification War]]'', pp. 222, 223 - "Dreadnought-class WarShip" | * ''[[Historical: Reunification War]]'', pp. 222, 223 - "Dreadnought-class WarShip" | ||
| + | |||
[[Category: Individual WarShips]] | [[Category: Individual WarShips]] | ||
[[Category: Individual Battleships]] | [[Category: Individual Battleships]] | ||
[[Category: Individual Dreadnought-class WarShips]] | [[Category: Individual Dreadnought-class WarShips]] | ||
Revision as of 09:21, 25 July 2014
- This article is about the first WarShip of the Dreadnought-class. For the Dreadnought-class of WarShips, see Dreadnought (WarShip).
Template:InfoBoxIndividualSpacegoingVessel
Contents
Overview
The TAS Dreadnought was the first true combat WarShip ordered constructed by Admiral James McKenna. The Dreadnought-class WarShip is named after this vessel. It served with the Terran Alliance, Terran Hegemony and Star League as the TAS, THS and SLS Dreadnought, respectively.
History
Construction and Terran Alliance Civil War
Upon his assumption of Alliance Global Navy command in 2295, Admiral James McKenna began a program of construction for true combat warships. It was the first of six similar vessels built at the orbiting shipyards of Terra, Mars and Venus.
The TAS Dreadnought was launched as the flag ship for Admiral McKenna in 2300 and over a period of 14 years led a fleet of at least 26 ships for the Alliance Navy. McKenna eventually transferred his flag to the Black Lion, another Dreadnought-class vessel, and which would later give it's name to the Black Lion-class WarShip.
In response to the virtual civil war on Terra, between the Liberal and Expansionist factions of the Alliance, the Dreadnought was used to bombard the island of Strand Rock, Scotland and another island off the coast of Australia from orbit, completely destroying them. This action on June 2, 2315 focused the attention of Terra and effectively ended the major fighting paving the way for the creation of the Terran Hegemony. [1]
Terran Hegemony era
The THS Dreadnought would serve as the lead-ship in Director-General James McKenna's numerous Campaigns of Persuasion. Even after Director-General McKenna transferred his flag to the first Black Lion I-class battle cruiser, the Dreadnought would serve the Hegemony for more than two and half centuries, earning more battle stars and kill awards than any other WarShip in the Hegemony Armed Forces. Those awards were not earned without cost, the Dreadnought also suffered crippling damage in numerous battles as well as the highest number of crew casualties of any Hegemony ship, most notably a near-catastrophic fire during an early Age of War battle near Cylene after a disabled Draconis Combine Aerospace Fighter made a kamikaze run into the ship's port landing bay. In total the Dreadnought spent almost four decades in dock during her centuries of service life, repairing battle damage and undergoing service life extensions.[1]
Star League era - Museum Ship
By the formation of the Star League in 2571, the Dreadnought was one of the last four remaining Dreadnought-class ships, with all nearing the end of their viable service lives. Though the other three ships received their last of dozen lifetime upgrades in the 2550s and 60s, Commanding General Shandra Noruff-Cameron of the newly formed Star League Defense Forces chose to cancel the scheduled upgrade for the Dreadnought and assign all four of the ships to the League's reserve fleet. Ultimately while the three other ships would be reactived and see service during the Reunification War before their final retirements in 2602, the SLS Dreadnought instead became the cornerstone of the Luna Air, Space and Stars Museum.[1]
In orbit around Luna above the sprawling museum complex, though designated a museum ship, the SLS Dreadnought remained active on the SLDF rolls. While many of her cargo bays were converted to showcases for notable artifacts from humanity's race to the stars, the Dreadnought retained a full crew of SLDF personnel, typically all on their final tours before retirement with her commanding officer always a retiring SLDF Rear Admiral. Thus the Dreadnought was maintained in pristine near-combat ready condition, as well as supporting a demonstration wing that flew a variety of vintage fighters during special shows and events. As of 27 December 2766, the ship was under the command of retiring Rear Admiral Marin Castillo.[1]
Amaris Coup - Death of the Grand Old Queen
Considering the Dreadnought little more than a museum exhibit, Amaris' troops ignored it completely as they launched nuclear strikes against the two largest SLDF bases on Luna during the opening stages of Operation APOTHEOSIS. Rear Admiral Castillo ordered his crew to battle stations upon detecting the first explosions, but realized that with only limited fuel and ammunition that they could not make a viable contribution to the battle of Terra. Instead, the Dreadnought took aboard civilian refugees and survivors from the moon bases as the ship moved to dock with the orbiting Tranquility Base to refuel. Watching as the battle over Terra unfolded, Admiral Castillo broke orbit 18 hours after it began, escorting dozens of Civilian DropShips as the Dreadnought traveled to Jupiter, stopping at the Deep Range Gunnery Station to rearm before jumping out of the system at a Pirate Point, carrying thousands of passengers transferred from the civilian DropShips.[1]
For the next three weeks, the venerable Dreadnought would jump from system to system, watching from the edges to gauge the strength of the Republican defenders before striking and eliminating the invaders at the least defended Jump Point, allowing numerous civilian ships to escape the Republican blockades. Castillo would slowly amass a civilian fleet of almost thirty JumpShips and over sixty DropShips saved by the Dreadnought, accompanying the WarShip as it attempted to make its way through the now hostile Hegemony to safety.[1]
Unfortunately the Dreadnoughts luck finally ran out when Admiral Castillo's "fleet" reached the Hegemony border world of Wyatt. Ambushed by a heavy squadron of Republican ships, the Dreadnought held on for nearly thirty minutes of withering fire that crippled her engines, jump drive and most of her turrets, leaving her adrift. Seeking to deny the Republicans their prize, Admiral Castillo ordered the Dreadnought scuttled, the grand old ship destroyed and her surviving crew killed as her remaining ammunition magazines were detonated in unison. Watching from the safety of the other jump point, the civilian ships were finally able to jump to the safety of the Lyran Commonwealth, taking with them stories of the horrors Stefan Amaris was inflicting upon the Hegemony as well as the courage of the Dreadnought's crew.[1]
Notes
The Dreadnought's role as a museum ship desperately reactivated and guarding a fleet of civilian ships trying to escape an overwhelming foe is acknowledged as fairly overt homage to the modern Battlestar Galactica series, cemented by its captain sharing the same name as the character Edward James Olmso (who played the Galactica's captain in the reboot) played in Miami Vice.
References
Bibliography
- The Star League, p. 13
- Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1
- Historical: Reunification War, pp. 222, 223 - "Dreadnought-class WarShip"