Star Trek: 10 Secrets Of The Original Enterprise You Need To Know
8. She Was Almost Stolen By Klingons During Her First Mission
Before April took command, an Admiral named Rasmussen oversaw the ship's shakedown cruise. This is standard for Starfleet vessels, and these missions are hardly eventful.
However, during this shakedown, the ship came under attack from a group of covert Klingons. Three Klingon warriors sneaked onboard posing as Starfleet cadets. Once on the Enterprise, they sabotaged several of the ship’s primary systems. The Enterprise is left adrift just a Klingon battle cruiser appears. The Klingon ship locks on to the Enterprise with a tractor beam.
But, Admiral Rasmussen saves the day. He pilots a shuttle on a suicide run colliding with the battle-cruiser. Rasmussen's sacrifice saves the Enterprise before it is dragged into Klingon space.