USS Melbourne

The USS Melbourne (NCC-62043) was a 24th century Federation starship operated by Starfleet.
In 2364, the Melbourne underwent maintenance at Starbase 74, at the same time as three other ships including the . While there, the station's CO, Quinteros, initiated a rush repair schedule to get the vessel ready for pursuit when the Enterprise was hijacked by a group of Bynars. However, the situation was resolved before the Melbourne was flight-ready. ()
In late 2366, William Riker was offered the command of the Melbourne. While Jean-Luc Picard described her as "a fine ship," Riker decided not to pursue the commission at that time, choosing instead to remain aboard the Enterprise-D. ()
Soon after, in early 2367, the Melbourne formed part of the forty-strong Federation task force that stood against an invading Borg cube at the Battle of Wolf 359. Early in the battle, it and the engaged the cube, but its shields were quickly drained, and had half its saucer blown away by a cutting beam. The burning, lifeless hulk was then rammed by the cube as it pursued the Saratoga. Lieutenant Gregory Bergan was among the Melbournes crew at the time. (; )
Nevertheless, when the Enterprise-D arrived in the system a few hours later, enough of the wreck survived intact and was one of the vessels recognized by Commander Elizabeth Shelby. ()
== Appendices ==
=== Appearances ===
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=== Background information ===
According to the , the Melbourne was named after the Australian city of .
The Encyclopedia (4th ed., vol. 2, p. 33) revealed that "there were actually two Starships Melbourne [...] the first was a model, barely glimpsed as a wrecked hulk in the spaceship graveyard from "The Best of Both Worlds, Part II" and later appearing in "Emissary", and the second was the clearly seen Excelsior-class one in "Emissary".
=== Apocrypha ===
The TNG short story "Trust Yourself When All Men Doubt You" in The Sky's the Limit established that the Nebula-class Melbourne was in fact under construction and intended to replace the Excelsior-class Melbourne. The Nebula-class Melbourne was the ship offered to Commander Riker. The Nebula-class Melbourne was launched early when the Borg attacked, and both ships were lost at Wolf 359. 
Footage of the Melbournes destruction was used to depict the destruction of the in the game Star Trek: Borg.
=== External links ===
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Melbourne, USS