Knox class frigate (FR 1940) basic data:

Length: 243.4 metres

Draft: 52.8 metres

Beam: 141.2 metres

Officers: 90

Enlisted: 260









Knox class images by Pheylan.

OUTALANCE SHIPYARDS U.S.S. KNOX NCC-1940

Since the post war years of the 2250's, Starfleet has maintained a considerable force of frigates as an affordable means of patrolling vast sections of previously-unguarded Federation border space.

Starships from both the Surya and Coventry classes filled this role admirably for some time. In response to lessons learned during the Ferasan revolt of 2272 and the Klingon border conflicts, however, many of the Surya class frigates were hurriedly uprated to Avenger class heavy frigate specifications. As soon thereafter as appropriations permitted, the converted frigates were replaced by starships of the Knox design.

Two considerations guided the design and construction of these spacecraft. First, the configuration of the Avenger class had proven so impressive. Both in terms of warp-dynamics and dilithium endurance, that the design board determined that the new frigate should be a scaled-down version of the heavy frigate design. Missing would be the photon weapons package and the large hanger bays and flight decks used for fightercraft operations. In other respects, however, the overall configuration, warp geometry, and defensive potential would be quite similar.

A second consideration affecting the construction history of the frigates was the decision to have one contractor build all 26 spacecraft. Pressed by renewed instances of Klingon border violations, Starfleet was anxious to increase the size of it's frigate fleet as soon as possible. To order a large number of ships over a short time span, however, would require the allocation of an extraordinary portion of the starship procurement budget--unless some means were found to simultaneously cut production time and costs.

This goal was achieved by placing the entire order with Newport News Shipbuilding., who completed the project within five Earth years at twelve percent under budget by eliminating much administrative redundancy.

The lead ship of the resulting class was named after Matthew Turnbull Knox, a former governor of the Martian Colonies who figured proximately in that planet's movement to declare independence from the British "Three World Empire" early in the twenty-second century. He was also one of the authors of the "Fundamental Declaration of the Martian Colonies", which gave form to humankind's first government independent of Terran control.

It should be noted that Commander Artemus Bestiner, a descendant of Knox, was awarded first command of the Frigate bearing his illustrious ancestor's name.

On SD 7904.36, Bestiner guided Knox to a position in Federation-Klingon borderspace where considerable data could be obtained on the new K'Teremny destroyer design. Later Knox again confronted one of these destroyers, and in action inflicted considerable damage to the warship. For these acts, Bestiner received the Prentaries Ribbon of Commendation (Second Class), and the starship was awarded a Starfleet citation.

Further Knox class frigates were ordered, partly from a strtegic need for border patrols and also for political reasons. Newport News shipbuilding needed to retain the skills and work orders and after petitioning the Federation Coucil, more orders were placed. The total number of Knox class ordered was 115. Miranda class light cruisers had garnered favour within both Starfleet and the Federation Council, but the Knox class was ideal as a heavy frigate design. Several were lost in the Tabula Rasa campaign. Tagruato Corporation had recently acquired Newport News shipyards and this was a public relations success in gaining new ship orders before moving onto Miranda class hulls.

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Kitbashed: ModelsPlease

Model Parts: Rick Knox

Model design: Todd Guenther & Starstation Aurora

Textures: GotAFarmYet?

Registry: Centurus & ModelsPlease

HP & DPs: ModelsPlease

Scaling: ModelsPlease

Registry	Name	Notes
1940	Knox
?	Bir Hakeim
1942	Seneschal
?	Enhance
1944	Asturias
1945	Kiri
1946	Opportune
1947	Sivihisar
1948	Le Malin
1949	Thach
1950	Springern
1951	Cassiopea
1952	Kaya
1953	Ability
1954	Pico
1955	Incharron
1956	Diligence
1957	Atrevida
1958	Swift
1959	Peleliu
1960	Matapan
1961	Espadon
1962	Skate
1963	Miramichi
1964	Utsira
1965	Carron	Last of Batch II. The Commanding Officer is proud to be assigned to a vessel with such pegigree, even though the new Apollo class is superceding Knox class in some roles. Carron may have been the last of the Knox class but was involved in the Klingon Cold War border patrols. During the Tabula Rasa campaign the Carron was chartered by Tagruato Corporation for scientific studies on a lush world that barely had a designation. The unique flora and fauna were listed as the reason for the studies, sanctioned by a Vice Admiral with known links to Tagruato. Much of the mission was classified, with a few lives lost during the mission. Tagruato supplied the scientific team and equipment for the mission. Even when the Taubat released their masters at AP173-B the secret Carron mission continued. The mission concluded only when the Metar risk was too high. The results of the studies were classified and forgotten about in the ensuing escape from the re-imprisoning of the Metar.