HMS Merlin (CA-270)

HMS Merlin (CA-270) is a Star Knight-class Heavy Cruiser within Second Fleet. Commanded by CAPTSG Sir Garret Bitker, KE, CGM, RMN, Merlin claims Rochester, Minnesota as her charter city, and is part of Task Force 21, which commands all of the American State of Minnesota.

History

Merlin was first brought into commission on 30 August 2011 under the command of then CAPTJG John Nietz, by order of BuShips. This ship was the first ship ever to be commissioned in Second Fleet, based out of Minneapolis, Minnesota. They participated in MarsCon and CONvergence multiple times, mastering the art of the recruiting table. Although they didn't upgrade up to HMS Athena until 28 October 2012, multiple ships were staffed from its crew, creating CruRon 21, which became the nucleus of Second Fleet. Upon upgrade, Merlin was placed into the Active Reserves.

The Merlin was recommissioned on 19 July 2014, when HMS Bedivere was upgraded and placed in Tenth Fleet. CAPTJG Christopher Beilby took command of the ship, out of it's charter city of Santa Ana, California as her charter city, but claimed all of the southern half of the American State of California. They participated in the Los Angeles Comicon and eventually recruited enough members to upgrade to HMS Artemis (BC-592) on 28 November 2015.

Two days later, Merlin was returned to Second Fleet on 30 November 2015, under the command of then-CAPTJG Garret Bitker, based out of Rochester, Minnesota. They continue to support the fleet's efforts at MarsCon, CONvergence, and of course, MantiCon.

Commanding Officers

#	Name	Assumed	Relieved
1	CAPTJG John Nietz	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	Incumbent

Crew Lineage

• 30 August 2011: Launched as HMS Merlin (CA-270).
• 28 October 2012: Upgraded to HMS Athena (BC-439).
• 19 July 2014: Recommissioned as HMS Merlin (CA-270) in Tenth Fleet.
• 28 November 2015: Upgraded to HMS Artemis (BC-592).
• 30 November 2015: Recommissioned as HMS Merlin (CA-270) in Second Fleet.

Command Staff

• Commanding Officer: CAPTSG Garret Bitker
• Executive Officer: CMDR Jeremy Kittleson
• Ship's Bosun: CPO Jason Coltum

Ship's Orders

NOTE: This Wiki is the authoritative source for orders per the Fourth Space Lord. All orders have been provided by the issuing authority or are as posted in the TRMN Forums.

Ship's Orders are subordinate to, and expand upon or amplify Admiralty Orders, Naval Directives, and Eighth Fleet Orders. They are applicable to Merlin operations and personnel.

Order No.	Effective Date	Subject	Status
HMS Eponynomous Ship's Order 1608-24	24 August 2016	Placeholder for Ship Orders

See Also

Star Knight-class Heavy Cruiser
Merlin - Alchemist - Star Witch