Semi-Essential Ships of the Third Imperium

A Donosev-class Scout Survey Ship.

We’d almost made our jump point when the comms started screeching. A light freighter, just broken out of jump, was declaring an emergency: her maneuver drive was down and they were shooting off for the outer system. Nothing for us to do but relay the distress call. Two tugs and a rescue vehicle from the starport were in response just as we jumped. I sure hope that freighter was OK…

As I worked on starship encounter tables for my Magyar campaign, I realized that I wanted to include a second tier of ships beyond just the essential Ship Types. These “semi-essential” ships should be found throughout the Third Imperium setting, but for various reasons just didn’t make my first cut.

Some of these ships would be essential within the setting but are probably just too mundane to be of much interest for a typical Traveller game: oilers, tugs, small container ships, and other utility craft. Although the GURPS Traveller line includes designs for many of these vessels, these ships are primarily useful as window dressing, providing a little background color as PCs travel through different systems.

Some semi-essential ships are just too large and expensive for most PCs. These include the big freighters and luxury liners of the megacorporations, the destroyers and destroyer escorts of the Imperial Navy, or the monitors of the planetary navies.

Finally, a couple of interesting vessels might be just a little too specialized for most PCs: the survey scout and scout cruiser.

Most published designs of large commercial vessels are specific, proprietary classes owned and operated by sector-wide lines or megacorporations. For example, we have two classes of 3,000-ton freighter: Tukera Lines’ Type AT from The Traveller Adventure (1983) and Al Morai’s World-class from The Spinward Marches Campaign (1985). (The Type AT reappears in the 1986 Alien Realms module, complete with deck plan.) Since right now I’m only concerned about high level details, I’ve used these specific examples as the basis for generating some generic ship descriptions.

I’ve tried to consistently use Traveller⁵ mission terminology in naming these ships. Although the terms cargo and freight are often used interchangeably, in Traveller⁵ freight describes goods “carried for a fee; ownership remains with the shipper,” while cargo describes goods “owned by the ship; carried for ultimate sale at a profit” (Starships 68).

The Semi-Essential Ships of the Third Imperium

Ship	Hull Size	TL	Thrust	Jump	Source(s)
Container Ship	100	12	3	1	GT:SS 90
Rescue Vessel	100	13	6	–	GT:SP 95
SDB Jump Shuttle	200	12	3	3	CT:TaG 38, GT:SS 83
System Defense Boat	200	15	6	–	CT:FS 25, PPF 8, MgT:HG 124
Fleet Courier	400	15	2	6	CT:FS 20, MgT:HG 132
Survey Scout	500	14	2	3	CT:FS 13, MT:WBH 48, MgT:HG 140
Lighter	800	12	5	–	GT:FT 137
Oiler	800	12	2	–	GT:FT 137
Tug	800	13	6	–	GT:FT 137
Destroyer Escort (Chrysanthemum)	1,000	15	6	4	CT:FS 14, MgT:HG 150
Destroyer Escort (Fer-de-lance)	1,000	15	6	4	CT:FS 14, MgT:HG 153
Light Freighter	1,000	13	1	3	CT:TA 140, GT:FT 138
Long Liner	1,000	15	1	4	CT:TA 138, GT:FT 139
Scout Cruiser	1,000	13	2	4	T20:EA5 10
Light Monitor	1,400	12	6	–	T20:FS 42
Destroyer	3,000	15	6	4	CT:FS 16, HP5 54, MgT:HG 165
Freighter	3,000	15	1	4	CT:TA 138, CT:SMC 31, CT:AR 22, GT:FT 139
Heavy Freighter	5,000	12	2	4	CT:TA 140, GT:FT 139
Jump Tug	5,000	15	1	6	CT:FS 22, GT:MC 34
Monitor	7,000	13	6	–	T20:FS 41
LASH Tender	10,000	12	1	3	GT:FT 140
Luxury Liner	10,000	13	1	3	GT:FT 140
Bulk Freighter	20,000	12	1	2	GT:SS 90, GT:FT 140, PPF 7
Megafreighter	100,000	15	1	3	GT:RoF 135
Sources: CT:AR–Alien Realms (1986), CT:FS–Fighting Ships (1981); CT:SMC–Spinward Marches Campaign (1985); CT:TA–The Traveller Adventure (1983); CT:TaG–Traders and Gunboats (1980); GT:FT–Far Trader (1999); GT:MC–Modular Cutter (2000); GT:RoF–Rim of Fire (2000), GT:SS–Starships (2003); GT:SP– Starports (2000); HP5–High Passage 5 (1982); MgT:HG–High Guard (2016); MT:WBH–World Builder’s Handbook (1989); PPF–Power Projection: Fleet (2007); T20:EA5–EPIC Adventure 5 - Scout Cruiser (2004); T20:FS–Fighting Ships (2003).

Container Ship. 100 tons (standard hull), Thrust-3 (Thrust-6 unloaded), Jump-1 (Jump-3 unloaded), TL-12, Computer-20. Three crew. 31 tons fuel. Six 30-ton external cargo containers, 12 tons cargo. MCr59.98.

These ships, exemplified by the venerable Birdsong-class, can carry six 30-ton standardized cargo containers arranged around the fuel deck.

Rescue Vessel. 100 tons (standard hull), Thrust-6, no jump capability, TL-13, Computer-20. Three crew, 20 low berths. One ton fuel. 12 tons cargo. MCr61.27.

A medical evacuation and rescue non-starship, designed to arrive at an accident scene and take up to 76 survivors off stricken vessels.

SDB Jump Shuttle TD-BU12. 200 tons (standard hull), Thrust-3, Jump-3, TL-12, Computer-20. 4 crew. 122 tons fuel. 4 tons cargo. MCr80.50.

This vessel is designed with fuel and jump drives to transport a 400-ton system defense boat to a new star system. When connected to the SDB, its powerful jump drives are reduced in capacity, but can still propel the combination to Jump-1 and 1G maneuvers. Its fuel capacity remains enough for two consecutive jumps.

System Defense Boat-15 SD-BS90. 200 tons (standard hull), Thrust-6, no jump capability, TL-15, Computer-35. 6 tons fuel. 15 crew. 2 hardpoints. 23.85 tons cargo. MCr130.5495.

The Viper-class is a typical Imperial high tech SDB, relying upon agility, computing power and armor for survivability while it harasses enemy ships. This type of SDB is most effectively deployed in “wolf packs” to swarm opponents. As no Magyar world yet has reached TL15, most Vipers in the sector protect Imperial facilities.

Fleet Courier EF-DS26. 400 tons (streamlined hull), Thrust-2, Jump-6, TL-15, Computer-30. 243 tons fuel. 10 crew. Four hardpoints. 4 tons cargo. MCr235.1.

A fleet courier transmits naval orders and information across subsector distances in relatively short periods of time.

Survey Scout NJ-DU23. 400 tons (standard hull), Thrust-2, Jump-3, TL-14, Computer-25. 124 tons fuel. Five crew. No hardpoints. One 100-ton modular cutter, Three air/rafts. 15 tons cargo. MCr169.242.

The Donosev-class Survey Scout is designed to continually re-survey the interior regions of the Imperium, updating maps and charts, and maintaining beacons and markers for astrogation hazards.

Lighter. 800 tons (streamlined hull), Thrust-5, no jump capability, TL-12, Computer-20. Five crew. Four tons fuel. 679 tons cargo. MCr176.73.

Lighters are cargo shuttles larger than 100 tons, routinely used for insystem freight hauling. Their large size and small crew make them cheaper and faster to operate than small craft where there is a sufficient volume of freight.

Oiler. 800 tons (streamlined hull), Thrust-2, no jump capability, TL-12, Computer-20. Four crew. 728 tons fuel. MCr112.13.

Oilers are fuel shuttles larger than 100 tons, routinely used for insystem fuel hauling.

Tug. 800 tons (standard hull), Thrust-6, no jump capability, TL-13, Computer-20. 21 crew. 42 tons fuel. 4 tons cargo. MCr896.

Tugs are used to move large, unpowered cargo barges, to rescue ships in distress, and for salvage operations. The tug is equipped with docking clamps, and its powerful maneuver drive can move a 20,000 ton ship at Thrust-1.

Destroyer Escort VE-KU64. 1,000 tons (close structure hull), Thrust-6, Jump-4, TL-15, Computer-35/fib. 414 tons fuel. 23 crew. Three barbettes, seven hardpoints. 31 tons cargo. MCr569.6.

The Chrysanthemum-class is a small, fast vessel intended for fleet and squadron escort duties. These destroyer escorts are ubiquitous, being encountered with larger fleet elements as well as working alone.

Destroyer Escort VE-KU64. 1,000 tons (close structure hull), Thrust-6, Jump-4, TL-15, Computer-35/fib. 414 tons fuel. 23 crew. Ten hardpoints. 51 tons cargo. MCr599.02.

The Fer-de-lance-class is a mid-sized escort vessel designed expressly for close protection of unarmed transport craft. These ships can be found escorting most squadrons as well as more typical convoys.

Light Freighter. 1,000 tons (standard hull), Thrust-1, Jump-3, TL-12, Computer-20/bis. 14 crew. 304 tons fuel. 10 hardpoints. One 30-ton slow boat. 471 tons cargo. MCr264.83.

This is a typical vessel used by interface, subsector- and sector-wide commercial lines to provide scheduled freight service.

Long Liner. 1,000 tons (streamlined hull), Thrust-1, Jump-4, TL-15, Computer-20. 404 tons fuel. 14 crew, 24 high passengers, 12 middle passengers. One hardpoints. One 20-ton launch. 153 tons cargo. MCr360.33.

This is a typical main-route passenger transport serving much of the Imperium. Different megacorporations employ their own proprietary designs with slightly different configurations.

Scout Cruiser SC-KS24. 1,000 tons (streamlined hull), Thrust-2, Jump-4, TL-13, Computer-20. 406 tons fuel. 17 crew. Four hardpoints. One Type S scout, one 20-ton launch, one grav carrier, three grav bikes. 49 tons cargo. MCr437.79.

A Scout Cruiser is capable of extended exploration and contact missions within or beyond the Imperial borders.

Light Monitor. 1,400 tons (streamlined hull), Thrust-6, No jump capability, TL-12, Computer-20. 235 tons fuel. 40 crew. One 100-ton bay, 4 hardpoints. 18.5 tons cargo. MCr1221.8.

The Vishe-class light monitor, dating to the Rim War, was designed to deter commerce raiders and invaders and continues to be used by planetary navies in Magyar. The ship was built around a 100-ton particle accelerator bay arranged in the manner of a spinal weapon.

Destroyer. 3,000 tons (reinforced streamlined hull), Thrust-6, Jump-4, TL-13, Computer-Core 70/fib. 1,227 tons fuel. 92 crew. One meson screen, one nuclear dampener. One large bay, 20 hardpoints. Two 40-ton pinnaces. 59 tons cargo. MCr1,906.91.

A destroyer is the largest type of military starship that most people ever see: destroyer classes usually patrol the major shipping lanes and provide escorts for larger trade convoys. The Gormandoacy-class destroyer, introduced near the end of the Rim War, is a predecessor to the new Midu Agashaam-class currently in development. The Gormandoacy is considered obsolete, though still widely employed in Magyar sector.

Freighter. 3,000 tons (standard hull), Thrust-1, Jump-4, TL-13, Computer-25/bis. 30 crew. 1,212 tons fuel. 30 hardpoints. Two 40-ton slow pinnaces. 1,090 tons cargo. MCr875.26.

This design is representative of a main-route cargo vessel employed in freight transport activities throughout the Imperium.  Different megacorporations employ their own proprietary designs with slightly different configurations.

Heavy Freighter. 5,000 tons (streamlined hull), Thrust-1, Jump-1, TL-12, Computer-20. 510 tons fuel. 215 crew. 4 hardpoints. One 40-ton pinnace. 2,900 tons cargo. MCr985.2.

This design is representative of a typical bulk and containerized cargo carrier. Different megacorporations employ their own proprietary designs with slightly different configurations.

Jump Tug. 5,000 tons (standard hull), Thrust-2, Jump-4, TL-15, Computer-25/bis. 48 crew. 2,015 tons fuel. 50 hardpoints. Three 40-ton slow pinnaces. 1,888 tons cargo. MCr1,637.90.

This vessel features special field cables attached to the rear of the ship, which extend the ship’s jump field to include this additional cargo. Alterations in displacement will affect the size of the jump itself, but the amount of cargo carried can be varied to fit the needs. A Jump Tug carries cargo in special 1,000-ton modules, forming a train of one to five of them. Each carried module reduces the jump performance by 1 parsec.

Monitor. 7,000 tons (standard hull), Thrust-6, No jump capability, TL-13, Computer-25/fib. 126 crew. 55 tons fuel. Five hardpoints, one medium bay, One 4,000-ton spinal. One 50-ton modular cutter. 13 tons cargo. MCr4,626.92.

This monitor is representative of those used by planetary defense forces in Magyar. The design, which dates back to the Rim War, is based around a TL13 meson gun spinal backed up by a medium bay with particle beam and a small battery of beam lasers. In addition to crystaliron armor, the monitor is protected with a meson screen and nuclear dampener.

LASH Tender. 10,000 tons (standard hull), Thrust-1 (Thrust-2 without lighters), Jump-3, TL-12, Computer-20. 103 crew. 6,674 tons fuel. Four hardpoints. One 20-ton launch, 15 800-ton lighters. 52 tons cargo. MCr4,322.97 (lighters not included).

A Lighter Aboard Ship (LASH) Tender is nothing more than a carrier for fifteen 800-ton lighters. With lighters attached to the external cradles, the ship is effectively 22,000 tons; the jump drives are sized accordingly.

Luxury Liner. 10,000 tons (standard hull), Thrust-1, Jump-3, TL-13, Computer-25. 3,041 tons fuel. 633 crew. 400 high passage staterooms, 333 standard staterooms, 800 low berths. 4 hardpoints. One 40-ton pinnace, 24 10-ton short-term lifeboats. 78 tons cargo. MCr3,757.

This is a typical luxury liner owned and operated by megacorporations. This liner features 400 high-passage staterooms and many amenities.

Bulk Freighter. 20,000 tons (standard hull), Thrust-1, Jump-2, TL-12, Computer-20. 88 crew. 4,054 tons fuel. One 95-ton shuttle. 13,710 tons cargo. MCr3,631.80.

Bulk freighters are too large to profit from incidental trade; their routes are carefully planned, sometimes years in advance. One of the most efficient—and cheapest—forms of transportation available, the bulk freighter is equipped with 130 100-ton cargo holds, each of which can be individually pressurized.

Megafreighter. 100,000 tons (standard hull), Thrust-1, Jump-3, TL-15, Computer-20/bis. 606 crew. 30,250 tons fuel. 1,000 hardpoints. Ten 95-ton shuttles. 51,981 tons cargo. MCr27,673.87.

Megafreighters are normally encountered only on major trade routes, and then only rarely. Such routes involve anywhere from up to a million tons of cargo and tens of thousands of passengers per week. Only one such route exists in Magyar, connecting Daibei and the Solomani Rim, running through Stansifer (3109), Nosret (2807), Guenivier (2505), Nahn (2403), and Seloo (2102).

Edit: Following publication of this post, I grabbed MgT2 High Guard and developed some basic conversions for those ships that did not have official Mongoose Traveller stats. I then updated this post with the conversion details. In most cases the Mgt design specifications remained fairly similar to the original. One notable wrinkle: although not stated outright in High Guard, ships in the OTU are evidently capped at Thrust-6. Earlier editions would allow for higher acceleration. There is also a potential retcon around meson weapons. I’m digging in to this question for a later post.

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