HMS Unconquered (CL-16)
| HMS Unconquered (CL-16) | |
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| Name: | HMS Unconquered |
| HCN: | CL-16 |
| Type: | Light Cruiser |
| Affiliation: |  Royal Manticoran Navy
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| Commander: | RADM Lori Bonilla, RMN |
| Status: | Active |
| Reporting to: | Third Space Lord |
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HMS Unconquered (CL-16) is a Light Cruiser and the oldest active duty warship in the Royal Manticoran Navy.[1]. Her current commanding officer is RADM Dame Lori Bonilla, Baroness Fair Isle .
History
Commissioned in 1649 PD[1], Unconquered was first commanded by Edward Saganami; it was his first hyper-capable command. Unconquered's final commanding officer was Ellen D'Orville, followed by an order to transfer the ship to the reserve fleet, where Unconquered remained for a century. She was scheduled for scrapping after her service, but was saved through a massive fundraising effort of the Royal Navy League to effect a repair and restoration project, preserving the ship back to her Saganami-era state. Once the project was completed, she remained in a parking orbit above Manticore as a memorial and living history museum.[2]
Shipboard Positions
After the Royal Navy League managed to rescue Unconquered from scrapping following reserve duty, it was determined that given the ship's illustrious history, it would be considered a high honor to be assigned as a member of her crew. Crew membership did not require the honoree to physically crew the vessel; it was merely an additional billet afforded to the honoree which entitled them to wear the HMS UNCONQUERED tab placed above the honoree's actual assignment shoulder insignia.
The Commanding Officer of Unconquered was traditionally a senior active duty RMN flag officer, chosen by the Crown from a list of nominations voted on by the Navy's serving officers. In 1920 PD Admiral Honor Harrington was appointed CO of Unconquered upon the retirement of Admiral Massengale.[2] The CO of Unconquered was the only RMN flag officer who was allowed to wear the white beret of a hyper-capable ship's CO.
TRMN
Within The Royal Manticoran Navy: The Official Honor Harrington Fan Association, Inc., assignment to Unconquered is one of the highest honors for members of the Navy and Marine Corps; crewmembers are considered to exemplify the very best in unswerving duty and service to the entire organization, with demonstrated and conspicuous accomplishment and achievement. Eligibility for consideration is limited to members of the Royal Manticoran Navy and the Royal Manticoran Marine Corps; other branches within the organization have their own, similar societies. Each year, a "class" of inductees is named in the fall months, usually at HonorCon in late October. The full list is announced via email and social media after the awards ceremony by the Bureau of Ships. Crewmember appointments are permanent; however, the appointment as Commanding Officer lasts for one year.[3] The transfer of command is typically announced at Honorcon in Autumn. Admiralty Order 1511-04 established the position of a "Permanent Commanding Officer" of Unconquered, above that of the Commanding Officer. The current and first Permanent CO is David Weber.[4]
Nomination
Those holding a billet of ship commanding officer or above may submit worthy nominees to the Third Space Lord when nominations are solicited (usually July or August until September or October). A committee made up of the members of the Bureau of Ships will consider all submitted nominations for intense vetting. Crewmembers are voted upon in committee, while the Commanding Officer is submitted to the Royal Council for final consideration and selection. Those nominations not selected are traditionally transmitted to the Bureau of Personnel for consideration of a post-nominal award.
Commanding Officer of Unconquered
Being appointed as Commanding Officer of HMS Unconquered affords all honors bestowed upon any other command of a hyper-capable craft. The CO is entitled to wear the white beret for the duration of their appointment, and can add a hyper star to their uniform. The duration of the Annual Commanding Officer is one year, usually from one HonorCon to the next, unless otherwise indicated. The Permanent Commanding Officer appointment lasts until such time as the First Lord of the Admiralty deems it necessary to appoint a new officer to the position.
So far, tradition seems to dictate that the annual appointment is only once per lifetime; no officer has been appointed to this position more than once in the organization's history.
List of Permanent Commanding Officers
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 2015 | FADM Sir David Weber, Grand Duke New Montana |