The USS Horatio was an Template:ShipClass Federation starship in operation during the 24th century. In 2364, the Horatio was under the command of Captain Walker Keel.
In 2364, the ship was destroyed with all hands, the wreckage being discovered by the USS Enterprise-D in Sector 63. The cause was believed to have been due to sabotage at the hands of Horatio's first officer, whom Keel had suspected of being under the influence of an alien parasite. (TNG: "Conspiracy")
Background
According to the Star Trek Encyclopedia, the Horatio had a registry number of NCC-10532. Despite not appearing, intact, on screen, the Horatio marked the first appearance of the Ambassador-class in Star Trek.
The Horatio may have been named after Admiral Horatio Nelson, or possibly the fictional seaman, Horatio Hornblower. However, ships in general, and more specifically Starfleet ships, are rarely named for a historical figure's first name. On the other hand, at least one ship of Britain's Royal Navy was named HMS Horatio (after Nelson), so perhaps this Starfleet vessel is named for one of the two men named above (or any other Horatio). It may even be that it was named in honor of the HMS Horatio, for whatever reason.
This vessel might also be named for Shakespeare's Horatio, from Hamlet, similar to other starships such as the USS Trinculo.
| Ambassador-class starships |
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| USS Enterprise-C • USS Excalibur • USS Horatio • USS Yamaguchi • USS Zhukov |