C.S.V. Nile Road
SHIP NAME: C.S.V. Nile Road
SHIP NUMBER: TC-26
CLASS: Milford-Class Commercial Freighter
CONSTRUCTED: 3rd May 2232
LENGTH: 1,244 Metres
PROPULSION: 4x DeRuyter Powerhausse Drives (FTL Capable)
MAXIMUM SPEED: (Cruising) 65 knots
SCANNERS: Smith & General Class III Scanner
ARMAMENT: None
ARMOUR: Reinforced Multiple Layer Titanium Hull
COMPLIMENT: 81 Crew, 10 Officers (Civilian), 250,000 Passengers
FATE: Destroyed 31st August 2296 (Battle of Van Gaal VI)
The Nile Road was primarily used as a inter-system passenger ferry, she operated in this fashion along the standard Union commercial shipping lanes, operating mostly in the Horrocks Sector.
In 2296 the Dakota launched an incursion into the Van Gaal system, attacking the Union planet of Maya (Van Gaal II) which at the time was home to six million people. This quickly prompted Imperial 4th Colonial Fleet Command to draft all civilian freighters into service in an attempt to evacuate as many civilians from Maya as possible.
The Nile Road was one of the last freighters to depart Maya, however she was tracked and fell under attack near Van Gaal VI on from a Dakota scouting group as she attempted to leave the system. A Union detachment from the 4th Fleet was immediately dispatched from the frontlines to assist in protecting the Nile Road.
The small skirmish which came to be known as the infamous Battle of Van Gaal VI was a disaster for the Union. The discovery of Dakota super-cannons mounted to the front of their destroyers, the arrival of a Dakota Cruiser and the destruction of the U.S.S. Roanoke (SDD-1081) and two other vessels, saw the surviving two ships – the U.S.S. Patton (SCA-703) and U.S.S. Tigershark (SGB-994) under the new command of Captain Krauer, retreat from the battle, despite protests from the Air Wing Commander of the Patton – Major Caine who’s wife and child were aboard the Nile Road.
Soon after the retreat was given Caine was forced to watch the Nile Road be destroyed, there were no survivors. This event led to the official declaration of war against the Dakota Republic on 12th October.