USS Cortéz

From Memory Alpha, the free Star Trek reference.

The USS Cortéz was a Federation starship in service during the Dominion War in the 2370s under the command of Captain Quentin Swofford, a friend of Benjamin Sisko. She carried a crew of approximately 400 people.

In 2374, the Cortéz was part of the assault force assembled to retake Deep Space 9 in Operation Return. Prior to the battle, they were ordered to fall back for repairs, after signaling the USS Defiant that they were having problems stabilizing their guidance thrusters on their port nacelle. Because of this, her position was filled by the USS Sarek. (DS9: "Favor the Bold") The Cortéz was later one of the first ships to break through the Cardassian-Dominion fleet, and reported that the fleet was in retreat. It was later ordered to rendezvous with the rest of the Federation fleet at DS9. (DS9: "Sacrifice of Angels")

Later that year, the Cortéz was reported missing while patrolling the Cardassian border, presumed to be destroyed by a squadron of Jem'Hadar fighters. After the report of her loss, the Defiant searched the area for survivors for almost six hours. (DS9: "Far Beyond the Stars")

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[edit] Background

The USS Cortéz was likely a reference to Hernán Cortés. The name of the ship is misspelled according to the rules of Spanish orthography. It should be spelled named either Cortez or Cortés.

[edit] Apocrypha

The Star Fleet Technical Manual by Franz Joseph featured a listing of a Saladin-class (Cochise-subclass) USS Cortéz with the registry NCC-536. Additionally, the Federation Ship Recognition Manual lists another USS Cortéz, a Larson-class VII destroyer, with the registry NCC-4383.