By 2364, the Ferrel was commanded by Captain Phil Manin. The Ferrel sent out a distress signal that was received by the USS Enterprise when it was attacked by unknown aliens. At the time, the ship was operating with a skeleton crew of 46. The Ferrel was heavily damaged and the crew rescued by the Enterprise. The vessel later went back to Xendi Starbase 10. The Ferrel’s mission had been to make first contact with the Choraii, and the vessel that devastated the Ferrel was later revealed to be Choraii. (TNG novel: The Children of Hamlin)