[Hydraa]

Try to get 200 points of armor on the ship or try sending them thru one at a time until you get one to survive. I don't think they always damage 100% of the time.

You can make a armored colonizer out of a light cruiser to establish a foothold outside. Then make a ship yard and expand from there.

Of course you can always wait until you can open a new warp point.