USS Stargazer (NCC-2893)

"Hello, Old Friend"

-Jean-Luc Picard, 2364

The USS Stargazer (NCC-2893) was a 24th century Federation Constellation-class starship operated by Starfleet.

In service
In 2333, Lieutenant Commander Jean-Luc Picard served as a bridge officer on this vessel. He later described the Stargazer as an "overworked, underpowered vessel, always on the verge of flying apart at the seams."

When the ship's captain was killed and the first officer was injured on the bridge, Picard took command of the situation, and the vessel.

Starfleet Command looked so favorably on Picard's actions, that they appointed him as the vessel's new commanding officer, a post he held for twenty-two years. Picard's crew included Jack Crusher and a weapons officer named Vigo.

The Stargazer saw action in the Cardassian Wars. The ship was involved in a truce offering by the Federation in sector 21503. After making contact with a Cardassian warship, Captain Picard lowered the ship's shields as a gesture of good will, but the Cardassian commander ignored the gesture and out most of the Stargazer 's weapons and damaged its impulse engines. The Stargazer managed to regroup and flee.

In 2353, Jack Crusher was killed on an away mission, forcing Picard to present Crusher's remains to his widow, Beverly.

In 2354, the Stargazer visited the planet Chalna.

In 2355, the Stargazer was attacked and severely damaged by an unknown vessel in the Maxia Zeta system. Picard was able to destroy the attacking vessel, using what would later be named the Picard Maneuver. The Stargazer was overcome by fire and severe damage during the battle and had to be abandoned. The event was called the "Battle of Maxia" by the Ferengi.

Recovery
As the loss of a ship was a court martial offense, Picard was court-martialed for the loss of the Stargazer, zealously prosecuted by Phillipa Louvois. In the end, he was absolved of all charges.