Design/concept by James Lake - GEC

Notes - circa 2288:

     The Crosby class was one of the more successful attempts to create a smaller heavy cruiser design that would still maintain much of the overall strengths of the vaunted Constituion class, who’s legacy was clearly visible in the basic design of the Crosby class. Yet the internal layout of the Crosby would prove significantly different once the first ship was launched.
     The Mk I had nearly the same internal volume as the Constition, and included 12 independent labs and large recreational facilities. Unlike the Constituion, though, the Crosby split the labs and crew quarters between the primary and secondary hull. This allowed main engineering and the impulse engineering to be placed in the aft-primary hull location. Although some worried that this made the engineering spaces more vulnerable to concentrated attack, it did reduce the maintenance engineering requirements and allowed quick swap-outs of damaged or worn parts.
     But the Crosby was not without its limitations. The FWD-1 drive was somewhat underpowered when coupled with the Asaka Chemical Combustion Reaction Control System. While the RSC was not strained by the vessels weight, it was not as responsive as some in the Military command at wanted. The Mk I also supported a large aft sensor/deflector system that made the vessel even more popular with research crews. The Crosbys would continue to explore and conduct research missions until the loss of the Crosby herself during the short lived Orgainian conflict.
     The Mk II was a direct result of the deteriorating relations that would claim the Crosby. The space between Klingon and Federation space continued to yield a wide range of discoveries, yet proved dangerous to research and military vessels alike. In 2265, as other vessels were being upgraded, the decision was made to halt construction on the Crosby and refit the vessel with heavier weapons. It was felt that this would give the Crosby the ability to conduct survey missions with a smaller escort near hostile boarders. In February of 2266, the Mk II was officially adopted and plans were put in place for the remaining 10 hulls to be built as Mk II’s while the existing hulls would be upgraded. While several Crosbys did take part in combat operations during the Organian conflict, none were lost. Conversion of the existing Mk I hulls was complete by 2269. However, construction on new hulls was halted after 2268. Five Crosbys were placed on hold as Star Fleet began to reduce the total construction budget and started focusing on redesigning existing ships. The most famous of these, the Enterprise class, would set a trend that would encompass the Crosby class, and in 2269, the remaining hulls were cancelled in favor or a complete design update. The Crosbys remained in service until 2278 when the last was decommissioned and converted.
     The Crosby class was constructed at the Tellar, Sol VI, Vulcan and Wall shipyards. One Mk I was destroyed and one Mk I was scrapped. All Mk I’s were converted to Mk II. 13 Crosby’s have been refit or converted to other classes.