design by Dale Kemper, from StarDate Magazine, January/February 1985 – Number 3/4 (8501)
NOTES:
The Silvertrikeclass of mining scout/prospector is a versatile craft used by all sizes of interplanetary mining concerns as well as individual prospectors. At the present time this class contains 2,784 vessels of varying characteristics. Among the more common type is the Mark XXI vessel Motherlode (shown here). Designed by T.P. Hodekker of Belter Industries, the Motherlode is set up for small mining operations and prospecting by no more than 1 to 4 individuals. Extensive sensors arrays (usually of older designs) are deployed on the forward portion of the hull and ar promarily used for detection of various valuable minerals and ores. Two powerful tractor beams are istalled for pulling in mineral ore into the lower processing hold for refinement and separation. Some vessels of the Mark XXII classification have additional equipment for the mining of antimatter and other highly dangerous substances. Normally, these vessels will not return to their homeport until their cargo hold is full of refined ore. This and other similarities have led people to compare this type of interstellar mining to the whaling industry of Earth hustory.
Part 1
| Construction Data: | ||||||||
| Model Number — | Mk I | Mk II | Mk III | Mk IV | Mk V | Mk VI | Mk VII | Mk VIII |
| Ship Class — | IV | IV | IV | IV | IV | IV | IV | IV |
| Date Entering Service — | 2244 | 2244 | 2246 | 2247 | 2248 | 2250 | 2250 | 2258 |
| Number Constructed — | 3621 | 292 | 191 | 279 | 112 | 115 | 303 | 259 |
| Hull Data: | ||||||||
| Superstructure Points — | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
| Damage Chart — | C | C | C | C | C | C | C | C |
| Size: | ||||||||
| Length — | 43.8 m | 43.8 m | 43.8 m | 43.8 m | 43.8 m | 43.8 m | 43.8 m | 43.8 m |
| Width — | 33.1 m | 33.1 m | 33.1 m | 33.1 m | 33.1 m | 33.1 m | 33.1 m | 33.1 m |
| Height — | 11.4 m | 11.4 m | 11.4 m | 11.4 m | 11.4 m | 11.4 m | 11.4 m | 11.4 m |
| Weight — | 27,815 mt | 28,925 mt | 29,775 mt | 29,155 mt | 27,915 mt | 29,925 mt | 27,980 mt | 33,305 mt |
| Cargo: | ||||||||
| Cargo Units — | 644 SCU | 622 SCU | 605 SCU | 617 SCU | 642 SCU | 602 SCU | 640 SCU | 534 SCU |
| Cargo Capacity — | 32,200 mt | 31,100 mt | 30,250 mt | 30,850 mt | 32,100 mt | 30,100 mt | 32,000 mt | 26,700 mt |
| Landing Capacity — | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| Equipment Date: | ||||||||
| Control Computer Type — | L-14A | L-14 | L-14 | L-14 | L-14A | L-14 | L-14A | L-14 |
| Transporters: | ||||||||
| Standard 6-person — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Emergency 18-person — | ||||||||
| Cargo — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Other Data: | ||||||||
| Crew — | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Passengers — | 10 | 2 | 8 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Shuttlecraft — | None | None | None | None | None | None | None | None |
| Engines And Power Data: | ||||||||
| Total Power Units Available — | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 |
| Movement Point Ratio — | 2/1 | 2/1 | 2/1 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 1/1 |
| Warp Engine Type — | FWB-1 | FWB-1 | FWB-1 | FWB-1 | FWB-1 | FWB-1 | FWB-1 | FWB-2 |
| Number — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Power Units Available — | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 12 |
| Stress Charts — | L/M | L/M | L/M | L/M | L/M | L/M | L/M | L/N |
| Max Safe Cruising Speed — | Warp 6 | Warp 6 | Warp 6 | Warp 6 | Warp 6 | Warp 6 | Warp 6 | Warp 6 |
| Emergency Speed — | Warp 7 | Warp 7 | Warp 7 | Warp 7 | Warp 7 | Warp 7 | Warp 7 | Warp 7 |
| Impulse Engine Type — | FIC-1 | FIC-1 | FIC-1 | FIC-1 | FIC-1 | FIC-1 | FIC-1 | FIC-1 |
| Power Units Available — | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Weapons And Firing Data: | ||||||||
| Beam Weapon Type — | – | FL-2 | FL-3 | FL-4 | – | FL-4 | – | FL-6 |
| Number — | – | 1 | 2 | 1 | – | 2 | – | 2 |
| Firing Arcs — | – | 1 f | 1 f/p, 1 f/s | 1 f | – | 1 p, 1 s | – | 2 f |
| Firing Chart — | – | F | G | G | – | G | – | H |
| Maximum Power — | – | 2 | 2 | 3 | – | 3 | – | 3 |
| Damage Modifiers: | ||||||||
| +3 | – | (-) | (-) | (-) | – | (-) | – | (-) |
| +2 | – | (-) | (-) | (-) | – | (-) | – | (1-4) |
| +1 | – | (-) | (1-4) | (1-4) | – | (1-4) | – | (5-7) |
| Shield Data: | ||||||||
| Deflector Shield Type — | Nav Only | Nav Only | FSA | FSA | FSA | FSB | FSD | FSB |
| Shield Point Ratio — | 1/1 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 1/1 | 1/2 | 1/2 | 1/2 |
| Maximum Shield Power — | 1 | 1 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 8 |
| Combat Efficiency: | ||||||||
| D — | 17.6 | 17.6 | 29.1 | 36.1 | 36.1 | 49.6 | 50.6 | 60.4 |
| WDF — | 0.0 | 0.5 | 1.2 | 0.9 | 0.0 | 1.8 | 0.0 | 2.6 |