So, as noted by The Prolific Trek, your humble narrator went to go see Star Trek: Beyond (Note: Spoilers) with the better half and a group of friends as a break from his *censored* dissertation.  It was a needed break–I feel the urge to be snarky in response to some differing points fading to a dull roar.  Editing–it’s not for the faint of heart.
What struck me as I was watching the movie was the writer/writers’ name choices for vessels in the film.  Besides the titular Enterprise, there was the space station Yorktown and a U.S.S. Franklin.  The historically astute will note that, in order, these names are the most decorated carrier in World War II, the lead vessel of the USN’s famous carrier class (of which Enterprise was part), and the most damaged USN carrier of the entire war.  Suffice to say, in the case of the Franklin, the name choice was apt.
This got me to thinking about sci-fi vessel name choices in general.  Some are pretty much oddball acronyms–see SDF-1 from Robotech / Macross and the TARDIS.  Others appear to have simply been chosen out of a hat (e.g., Galactica or Millenium Falcon) or are clear references to mythology (Pegasus, Prometheus).  In any case, it would be interesting to have a round table or panel at a con where folks discuss what ship names and why.
As for myself, starting this week there will be “Warship Wednesday” in which I explain my own naming conventions for the Confederation Fleet and Spartan Republic, discuss various ship classes, and otherwise unpack the Vergassy Universe a little bit.  Every few Wednesdays (no I’m not committing to a regular schedule), I will intersperse historical warships from the Usurper’s War universe as well.
Happy reading!
 

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