design from Far and Away Magazine – April 1990 – David L. Kemper. Graphics by CaptShade
NOTES:
The Somnulus Class was designed to insure rapid response to any major medical emergency within the Federation. The design was taken from the standard plans for many ore freighters on the UFP, but had been radically altered to fit its purpose. This class carried all the latest medical equipment and facilities, including cryosurgical bays and cardiostimulator booths. Only a fraction of the ship’s interior was given over to the crew, whose quarters were right below the bridge and near the engineering section. The bulk of the craft was composed to laboratories, operating rooms, intensive care units and convalescent wards. Sections for dentistry, obstetrics and other specialties were also included in the design. The ship could hold up to 500 patients of any Federation race, and there were special sections designed for exotic atmospheres and temperature requirements of some races included aboard.
The Somnulus class was mainly intended to aid in the treatment of life forms during a particular crisis, and was considered and ‘ambulance ship’ in the classic senses. By the use of the large S-6 shuttlecraft (which were specially designed for quarantine duty if necessary), and the large number of transporters aboard, rapid aid could be give to victims of a disaster on a planetwide scale.
The Somnulus class often proven its usefulness many times over. For example, in early 2267, the USS Desoeria evacuated 104 people from the planet Zenophen who had contracted Arkadian Skin Fungus. There were taken to Starbase 18 for treatment. If was later proven that all of the evacuees would have died except for the in-transit treatment given to them aboard the Desoeria. To date only ove vessel of this class was lost. The USS Bonitace picked up the crew of a deep space freighter that was apparently suffering from a form of Rigellian Fever. Despite significant quarantine protocols, the affliction spread uncontrollably throughout the crew and other patients, leading the Head Resigned, Dr. T’rgil Oventhre, to conclude that this was some unknown mutated version of the disease, highly contagious and particularly deadly. The Bonitace found itself in disputed space, weeks aways from the nearest help. Dr. Oventhre, in conjunction with Captain Bors Sillader, agreed that the destruction of the vessel was the only hope to contain the virulent strain. After 78% of the crew and patients had succumbed, and fearing the possible weaponization of the virus before the ship could be returned to Federation space, Captain Sillader destroyed his ship after transmitting his log tapes to the nearest starbase. Both the Captain and Dr. Oventhre were posthumously awarded the Medal of Gallantry for their sacrifice.
The Somnulus class remained in service until 2298 when the last ship was decommissioned. Of the 35 built, 8 are in reserve fleet, 1 has been destroyed, 6 were decommissioned and scrapped and 20 were sold. The Somnulus were built at the Lixis and Mursa shipyards at a rate of 5 per year.
| Construction Data: | |
| Model Number — | Mk I |
| Ship Class — | VI |
| Date Entering Service — | 2262 |
| Number Constructed — | 35 |
| Hull Data: | |
| Superstructure Points — | 8 |
| Damage Chart — | C |
| Size: | |
| Length — | 220.2 m |
| Width — | 131.5 m |
| Height — | 56.2 m |
| Weight — | 78,195 mt |
| Cargo: | |
| Cargo Units — | 140 SCU |
| Cargo Capacity — | 7,000 mt |
| Landing Capacity — | None |
| Equipment Date: | |
| Control Computer Type — | M-2 |
| Transporters: | |
| Standard 6-person — | 8 |
| Emergency 22-person — | 4 |
| Cargo — | 4 |
| Other Data: | |
| Crew — | 131 |
| Passengers — | 500 |
| Shuttlecraft — | 6 |
| Engines And Power Data: | |
| Total Power Units Available — | 21 |
| Movement Point Ratio — | 4/1 |
| Warp Engine Type — | FWF-1 |
| Number — | 1 |
| Power Units Available — | 18 |
| Stress Charts — | F/K |
| Max Safe Cruising Speed — | Warp 6 |
| Emergency Speed — | Warp 8 |
| Impulse Engine Type — | FIC-2 |
| Power Units Available — | 3 |
| Shield Data: | |
| Deflector Shield Type — | FSB |
| Shield Point Ratio — | 1/2 |
| Maximum Shield Power — | 6 |
| Combat Efficiency: | |
| D — | 34.4 |
| WDF — | 0.0 |
Design Notes:
Another great design by David L. Kemper, this ship is a great ship for “escort” missions or for the role-playing game aspect. Several folks took a shot as creating a look for this ship, and I thought CaptShade’s was the best. However, the original thumbnail of the ship and Capt’s drawing do present a minor issue size-wise. Using the bridge or nacelle as a point of reference – the ship is a good bit bigger than David originally intended. The larger size seems to work, though. I also upped the crew to the standard number of a ship of this size. While there is no phaser crew or other defensive personnel per say…those roles would most likely be filled by doctors, nurses and other medical support folks.