The SS Beagle was a Federation Class-4 stardrive survey vessel, in operation during the mid-23rd century. The Beagle had a crew of forty-seven and was commanded by Captain R.M. Merik; his flight officer was William B. Harrison.
The Beagle disappeared in 2261 near the 892 system, when it suffered damage from a meteor storm. Captain Merik and a landing party beamed down to the fourth planet of the system to look for iridium ore for repairs.
Whilst on the planet, they were met by the local inhabitants lead by Proconsul Claudius Marcus. The Proconsul convinced Merik that it would be unfair to his world to carry word of their existence elsewhere and convinced Merik to beam down the remainder of his crew to the surface and the Beagle was left to be deserted.
The Beagle's crew was captured by the planet's inhabitants and forced to fight as gladiators. The abandoned Beagle drifted away from 892-IV approximately 1/16th of a parsec before it was destroyed, leaving behind in its debris portions of its nacelles and personal effects of the crew.
In 2267, the USS Enterprise located the wreckage of the Beagle, and discovered the fate of her crew. Merik had insinuated himself into local politics, and was the only member of the Beagle crew to survive. Merik would have been removed from the planet, and arrested for violating the Prime Directive, however he was murdered by Claudius Marcus, while attempting to save Captain Kirk. (TOS: "Bread and Circuses")
- The ship was probably named after the ship used on an expedition to the coast of South America between 1831-1836. Notable scientist Charles Darwin was one of the scientists onboard.