USS Ellesmere (NCC-21464)

The USS Ellesmere (NCC-21464) was a Merced-class vessel in service of the Federation Starfleet in the mid-24th century. In 2339, it was attacked and disabled by a Romulan warbird after suffering a navigational error and drifting into the Romulan Neutral Zone, killing the Ellesmere captain and killing or injuring half the crew in the process. Though unknown at the time, the navigational error was actually the work of a Romulan spy onboard who had sabotaged the navigational array in an attempt facilitate the ship's capture.

After being disabled, the Ellesmere issued a distress call, which the USS Tempest (NCC-10535) responded to. Upon arriving, the Tempest beamed aboard an away team to assist with repairs and treating the injured. In the course of this work, Tempest CMO Dr. Aurora Teal discovered that the Ellesmere captain, Captain Laura Blake, had actually been murdered and was not a straightforward casualty of the Romulan attack.

Teal and Tempest executive officer TJ Goodspeed investigated the captain's murder and eventually discovered the culprit was Ensign Tellek, a Romulan Tal Shiar agent posing as a Starfleet operations officer. Tellek attempted to escape the Ellesmere via shuttlecraft but was prevented from doing so, eventually being beamed directly into the Tempest brig.

The Romulan warbird commander, Mheven, attempted to negotiate the return of Tellek in exchange for the safe release of the Ellesmere and its crew, though Tempest captain Rye-jae Maddox chose instead to open fire, buying enough time for the Ellesmere to successfully maneuver out of the Neutral Zone and back into Federation space. (1.3: "Border Dispute")

The Ellesmere was named for a large island in Earth's Arctic region.

Current Status
Following the ship's safe return to the Federation side of the Neutral Zone, it proceeded to Starbase 324 for more extensive repair. Its patrol route was temporarily assumed by the USS Abaco (NCC-21470) while the damaged ship underwent repairs. (WOG)

Appearances
Border Dispute

Auxiliary Craft
The Ellesmere carries a standard complement of shuttle and auxiliary craft for a Merced-class vessel.

Type-5 Shuttlecraft

 * Ansari (NCC-21464/1)
 * Leonov (NCC-21464/2)

Type-13 Shuttlepod

 * Cabana (NCC-21464/3)
 * Pettit (NCC-21464/4)

Work Bees

 * 21464-α
 * 21464-β

Command Crew

 * Commanding Officer
 * Captain Laura Blake (-2339)
 * First Officer/Executive Officer
 * Lieutenant Commander Alison Lewis (-2339)
 * Chief Medical Officer
 * Lieutenant G'Trel (-2339)

Personnel

 * Lieutenant Dallon (-2339)
 * Ensign Tellek (-2339)