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2025-04-28T00:09:54Z

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Mantipedia>MEPanter: Correcting typo, adding ship's honours

2022-09-26T23:52:46Z

Correcting typo, adding ship's honours

New page

{{Infobox-chapter
| crest = Merlin-crest.jpg
| image =
| name = HMS ''Merlin''
| hcn = CA-270
| city = St. Cloud, MN, US
| affiliation = {{rmn}}
| type = Heavy Cruiser
| class = Star Knight
| launched = 30 August 2011
| co = [[CAPTJG]] Danielle Erikson, [[QBM]], [[RMN]]
| status = Active
| reportsto = Task Force 21
| fleet = Second Fleet
| website = https://www.facebook.com/HMS.Merlin/
| image2 = CA270Flash.png
}}
'''HMS Merlin (CA-270)''' is a [[Star Knight-class]] [[Heavy Cruiser]] within [[Second Fleet]]. Commanded by [[CAPTSG]] Danielle Erikson [[OR]], [[QBM]], [[RMN]], ''Merlin'' claims [[wikipedia:St. Cloud, Minnesota|St. Cloud, Minnesota]] as her charter city, and is the flagship of [[Destroyer Squadron 265]], part of [[Task Group 21.1]], which commands all of the American State of [[wikipedia:Minnesota|Minnesota]].
==History==
''Merlin'' was first brought into commission on 30 August 2011 under the command of then [[CAPTJG]] John Neitz, by order of [[Bureau of Ships|BuShips]].<ref name="BSD110801">[[BuShips Directive 1108-01]]</ref> This ship was the first ship ever to be commissioned in [[Second Fleet]], based out of [[wikipedia:Minneapolis, Minnesota|Minneapolis, Minnesota]]. They participated in [[CONvergence]] and [[MarsCon]] multiple times, mastering the art of the convention room party, and inventing the shot known as the [[missile pod]].

Less than three months after ''Merlin's'' commissioning, part of her rapidly-expanding crew formed her sister ship {{hms|Samurai|CL-356}}, the first time a [[TRMN]] chapter split off an additional chapter.

In 2012 Captain Neitz launched the battlecruiser {{hms|Invincible|BC-416}} and then-[[CAPTJG]] Justin Grays took over as skipper of ''Merlin.'' By the time the chapter upgraded to {{hms|Athena|BC-439}} on 28 October 2012, multiple ships were staffed from its crew, creating [[BatCruRon 21]], which became the nucleus of [[Second Fleet]]. Upon upgrade, ''Merlin'' was placed into the [[Active Reserves]].

''Merlin'' was recommissioned on 19 July 2014, when {{hms|Bedivere|DD-486}} was upgraded and placed in [[Tenth Fleet]]. [[CAPTJG]] Christopher Beilby took command of the ship, with [[wikipedia:Santa Ana, California|Santa Ana, California]] as her charter city, but claimed all of the southern half of the American State of [[wikipedia:California|California]]. They participated in the [[Los Angeles Comicon]] and eventually recruited enough members to upgrade to {{hms|Artemis|BC-592}} (BC-592) on 28 November 2015.

''Merlin'' was returned to [[Second Fleet]] on 30 November 2015, under the command of then-[[CAPTJG]] Garret Bitker, based out of [[wikipedia:Rochester, Minnesota|Rochester, Minnesota]]. Upon the upgrade of the Rochester chapter to the LAC Carrier {{hms|Unicorn|CLAC-30}}, the [[wikipedia:St. Cloud, Minnesota|St. Cloud, Minnesota]] chapter {{hms|Javelin|DD-264}} upgraded from destroyer to heavy cruiser and was assigned ''Merlin'' on 21 November 2017.

The current ''Merlin'' crew are active in support the fleet's efforts at [[MarsCon]], [[CONvergence]], and of course, [[MantiCon]]. They are also a major participant group at [[LionCon]] in St. Cloud. LionCon is organized by ''Merlin'' crew members who own the St. Cloud game store Lionheart Games, where ''Merlin'' holds regular gaming day events.

===Commanding Officers===
{| class="wikitable"
! # !! Name !! Assumed !! Relieved
|-
| 1 || [[CAPTJG]] John Neitz || 30 August 2011 || 27 April 2012
|-
| 2 || [[CAPTJG]] Justin Grays || 27 April 2012 || 28 October 2012
|-
| 3 || [[CAPTJG]] Christopher Beilby || 19 July 2014 || 28 November 2015
|-
| 4 || [[CAPTSG]] [[Sir]] Garret Bitker, [[KE]], [[CGM]] || 30 November 2015 || 21 November 2017
|-
| 5 || [[CAPTSG]] Danielle Erikson, [[OR]], [[QBM]] || 21 November 2017 || ''Incumbent''
|-
|}

===Crew Lineage===
* 21 November 2017: Crew of {{hms|Javelin|DD-264}} upgraded to ''Merlin'' within [[Second Fleet]].

==Command Staff==
* Commanding Officer: [[CAPTSG]] Danielle Erikson
* Executive Officer: [[CDR]] Ann Erikson
* Ship's Bosun: [[CPO]] Paladin Meyer

==Ship's Honors==
===Decorations===
<center>
{|
|[[Image:Royal_unit_citation_for_gallantry_(ribbon).png|110px|link=Royal Unit Citation for Gallantry]]
|}
</center>
* [[Royal Unit Citation for Gallantry]]: Awarded 13 February 2019, "For their efforts at LionCon in Saint Cloud, Minnesota, and providing a consistent and inclusive event for gaming".<ref name="RUC"> [[BuShips Directive 1902-05]]</ref>

==Ship's Orders==
{{disclaimer}}
Ship's Orders are subordinate to, and expand upon or amplify [[Admiralty Orders]], [[Naval Directives]], and [[Second Fleet Orders]]. They are applicable to ''Merlin'' operations and personnel.

{| class = "wikitable sortable"
|-
! Order No. !! Effective Date !! Subject !! Status
|-
| Link to Ship's order || data-sort-value=08-24-16 | 24 August 2016 || Placeholder for Ship Orders ||
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

==See Also==

{{Class star knight}}
{{Heavy cruisers}}
[[Category:Ships|M]]
[[Category:Star Knight-class|M]]
[[Category:Heavy Cruisers|M]]

HMS Merlin (CA-270) - Revision history

EJordan at 13:50, 22 September 2026

EJordan at 15:25, 20 September 2026

Krbmp: 1 revision imported

Mantipedia>MEPanter: Correcting typo, adding ship's honours