The Sirius, a Havenite Q-ship looking like an Astra-class freighter
A Q-ship was a military vessel designed to look like a merchantman. It could be built from the keel out as a Q-ship, or converted from an existing merchant vessel.
History[]
In the 19th Century PD, the Havenite People's Navy conceived a type of Q-ship built to resemble a Trumbull-class freighter with chase armament of three missile tubes and two spinal mount lasers fore and aft. One Havenite Q-ship, the PMSS Sirius, was disguised as an Astra class freighter.
In 1900 PD, the People's Navy attempted to infiltrate the Basilisk System with Sirius prior to an attempt to seize the system and its terminus of the Manticoran Wormhole Junction, but Sirius was eventually destroyed by the Manticoran Courageous class light cruiser HMS Fearless. (HH1)
From 1909 to 1920 PD, the Royal Manticoran Navy operated a total of fifteen Trojan-class Q-ships, based on Caravan-class civilian freighter hulls, to fight piracy in the Silesian Confederacy as more and more of the RMN's light units were diverted from convoy escort and piracy suppression duties to the front lines of the First Havenite-Manticoran War. One of these ships, HMAMC Wayfarer, was commanded by Captain Honor Harrington. (HH6)
Design Notes[]
While Havenite Q-ships were built as modified warships, Manticorian Q-ships were based on civilian designs, leaving them with weaker defenses and overall structural strength.[1] The Caravan class however was able to serve as a proof of concept for later LAC carriers by carrying improvised LAC wings. (HH6)
Known Q-ships[]
Andermani Empire[]
Axelrod Corporation[]
Republic of Beowulf[]
Republic of Haven[]
Star Kingdom of Manticore / Star Empire of Manticore[]
Independent[]
References[]
- ↑ Manticoran Q-ships were described as "eggshells armed with sledge hammers."
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