Does a small ship, let's say a sabre, have a full captain (four pips) or just a commander as the highest officer on board? I can't imagine that there is need for a "full" captain for a a crew of 40 people when DS9 with hundreds or even thousands of people just gets a commander (Sisko in the older seasons) as the highest officer. I'd be really pissed off if I was promoted to captain and than get a lousy old freighter with 20 personnel on board
------------------ Mycon
Posted by Bernd (Member # 6) on :
I think that each ship above Defiant size usually has a captain in command. There might be exceptions, though. Maybe it's not only the ship's size but also the dregree of independent operation. It is obvious that a tiny Oberth on an important mission beyond the Federation borders should have a captain, while a big cargo ship traveling between Earth and Vulcan might only have a Lt. Cmdr. or Cmdr.
BTW: Was the commanding officer of the Grissom NCC-638 (Esteban?) a captain?
------------------ "The past, the present and the future, they exist as one, they breathe together." (Annorax, VOY: "The Year of Hell") Ex Astris Scientia
Posted by The First One (Member # 35) on :
Yes, he was. I think most ships have a Captain in command, but the size of ship reflects their seniority. A far better indication of the 'importance' of a ship and its crew size comes in the rank of the First Officer - Lt. Cdr. Riker on the Hood, Lt. Cdr. Cavit on Voyager. . . I can't remember if Chakotay is a full Commander or not.
But I do nelieve that smaller ships needn't have Captains in command. Technically, I think Janeway should only be a Commander - but they were so into the idea of having a female Captain. . .
Posted by The359 (Member # 37) on :
Didn't some Nebula class starship have a Lt. Cmdr. in command? I forget their name and what ship it was...anyone remember?
------------------ "The one, the only, THE 359!"
Posted by Elim Garak (Member # 14) on :
The Sutherland?
------------------ Doctor: "Run along. I'll reattach any severed limbs. Just don't misplace them." (Voyager: "The Killing Game")
Posted by Fabrux (Member # 71) on :
Yes, the Sutherland did have a Lt. Cdr in command, but I think 359 means the Prometheus (Nebula-class). I've never seen the episode "Second Sight" myself, but from what I hear there was only a Lt. Cdr in command.
And, since we're talking about Lt. Cdr.'s as XO's, don't forget Sisko on the Saratoga and that guy on the Equinox who's name I can't remember at the moment.
Exactly. And the supposed commander of the Prometheus was a Lt. named Piersall, but I doubt he was really the commmander, just the senior bridge officer of that watch. After all, they did have a Commander from DS9 as the Mission Commander, as it were.
Posted by Siegfried (Member # 29) on :
I know it's not canon, but the novelization of TNG's "Relics" says that the Jenol(aei)n had a captain in command. Just thought I'd bring it up.
------------------ "Some people call me the Space Cowboy. Yeah! Some call me the Gangster of Love. Some people call me Maurice. Whoo hoo! 'Cause I speak of the Pompatus of Love!" - Steve Miller Band's The Joker
Posted by bryce (Member # 42) on :
I thought Sisko was the second officer on his ship?
------------------ "You gotta change your signature" -Zilla
Posted by Elim Garak (Member # 14) on :
Oh, and Chakotay being a full commander is a touchy topic. Tread with care.
I thought Sisko was the exceutive officer, but rewatching "Emissary" leads me to wonder if they did mention it.
------------------ Doctor: "Run along. I'll reattach any severed limbs. Just don't misplace them." (Voyager: "The Killing Game")
Posted by Mikey T (Member # 144) on :
I just watched "Equinox" again and saw our American Indian commander's rank, it's Lt. Cmdr., the same rank as Tuvok.
------------------ "But I want it that way"
-Backstreet Boys
Posted by Federation Shipmaster (Member # 15) on :
I've always thought that the seniority of a captain depends on how long they've held the rank.
