USS Gibraltar (NCC-1859)

Originally launched in 2286 as the upgraded variant Constitution-class USS Italic textYorktown Italic text, the ship was decommissioned in 2316. Stripped of its name, the vessel was mothballed at the Dalashni V Long-term Storage Anchorage. Following the Tomed Incident in 2341, the vessel was refit as a hospital ship and was rechristened the USS Italic textGibraltarItalic text, though it retained its original registry NCC-1859. After fourteen months, the ship completed its humanitarian assignment along the Federation/Romulan border and was returned to storage.

In 2375 in an effort to bolster Starfleet's ship numbers in the face of severe attrition during the Dominion War, the Italic textGibraltarItalic text was once again resurrected from the boneyards and was refit with 24th century technology. An eight month refurbishment at Starbase 234 succeeded in making the starship servicable. However, it's 2376 launch date came after the conclusion of the Dominion War.

Under the command of Captain Donald Sandhurst, the ship carried out patrol, diplomatic, and escort duties along the post-war Federation/Cardassian border.