Nicholas Biddle (naval officer)
Encyclopedia
Nicholas Biddle was one of the first five captains of the Continental Navy
, which was raised by the Americans during the American Revolutionary War
.
His father was William Biddle, 3rd (1698–1756) of the Biddle family
, and mother was Mary Scull (1709–1789).
At the age of thirteen, he went on a voyage to the West Indies, during which he was left on a desert island for two months. In 1770, he became a midshipman in the Royal Navy
. In 1773, he resigned from the navy in order to join Captain Constantine Phipps
on an expedition to the Arctic. While on this trip, he became acquainted with the future Lord Nelson
.
threatened to break out, he returned to the colonies and offered his services to the state of Pennsylvania. In August 1775, the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety placed Biddle in command of the armed galley Franklin
.
In December 1775, he was commissioned into the Continental Navy and made Captain of the 14-gun brig Andrew Doria
. He participated in the expedition
against New Providence
, and fought in the Continental Navy's action
with the Glasgow
on April 6, 1776; he was highly critical of the action, noting that the lack of signalling by Commodore Esek Hopkins
led to a "helter skelter" action. He captured numerous vessels including British army transports on later cruises.
He participated in a cruise of the Newfoundland Banks that was so successful in the taking of ships, that when he returned to port he had only five sailors left on board his ship; the rest were crewing the prizes.
On June 6, 1776, he was appointed by Continental Congress
to command the Randolph
, a 32-gun frigate
then being built in Philadelphia. She was launched near the close of the year, and sailed early in 1777. In September 1777, Biddle captured HMS True Briton and her three-ship convoy.
On March 7, 1778, off Barbados, the Randolph engaged
the British 64-gun ship-of-the-line HMS Yarmouth. Rather than trying to flee from the more heavily armed opponent, the Randolph engaged in battle. An eyewitness reported the frigate held her own in the twenty minute engagement, appearing, "to fire four or five broadsides to the Yarmouth's one." After Biddle was wounded, the Randolph blew up suddenly, killing all but four of the 305 on board including Biddle. The loss of Randolph was a serious blow to the fledgling Continental Navy
.
His brother, Edward Biddle
, was a staunch advocate for American independence, and his nephew, Nicholas Biddle (1786-1844), was an esteemed banker.
Four ships
of the United States Navy
have been named for him.
whose book For Love of Country" is based partly on the life of Nicholas Biddle.
Continental Navy
The Continental Navy was the navy of the United States during the American Revolutionary War, and was formed in 1775. Through the efforts of the Continental Navy's patron, John Adams and vigorous Congressional support in the face of stiff opposition, the fleet cumulatively became relatively...
, which was raised by the Americans during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
.
Early life
Nicholas Biddle was born in Philadelphia.His father was William Biddle, 3rd (1698–1756) of the Biddle family
Biddle family
The American Biddle family of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania yielded numerous and diverse people of interest down to the present era.William Biddle and Sarah Kempe were Quakers who emigrated from England to America in 1681 in part to avoid religious persecution...
, and mother was Mary Scull (1709–1789).
At the age of thirteen, he went on a voyage to the West Indies, during which he was left on a desert island for two months. In 1770, he became a midshipman in the Royal Navy
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
. In 1773, he resigned from the navy in order to join Captain Constantine Phipps
Constantine Phipps, 2nd Baron Mulgrave
Constantine John Phipps, 2nd Baron Mulgrave, PC was an English explorer and officer in the Royal Navy. He served during the Seven Years War and the American War of Independence, seeing action in a number of battles and engagements...
on an expedition to the Arctic. While on this trip, he became acquainted with the future Lord Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson
Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, 1st Duke of Bronté, KB was a flag officer famous for his service in the Royal Navy, particularly during the Napoleonic Wars. He was noted for his inspirational leadership and superb grasp of strategy and unconventional tactics, which resulted in a number of...
.
American Revolutionary War
Just as the American RevolutionAmerican Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
threatened to break out, he returned to the colonies and offered his services to the state of Pennsylvania. In August 1775, the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety placed Biddle in command of the armed galley Franklin
USS Franklin (1775)
The first USS Franklin was a schooner in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War. She was named for Benjamin Franklin....
.
In December 1775, he was commissioned into the Continental Navy and made Captain of the 14-gun brig Andrew Doria
USS Andrew Doria
Two vessels of the United States Navy have been named Andrew Doria, which is the anglicized name of Italian admiral Andrea Doria.*Andrew Doria, a Continental Navy brig built in 1775, a former Italian tanker built in 1908-Source:...
. He participated in the expedition
Battle of Nassau
The Battle of Nassau was a naval action and amphibious assault by American forces against the British port of Nassau, Bahamas during the American Revolutionary War...
against New Providence
New Providence
New Providence is the most populous island in the Bahamas, containing more than 70% of the total population. It also houses the national capital city, Nassau.The island was originally under Spanish control following Christopher Columbus' discovery of the New World, but the Spanish government showed...
, and fought in the Continental Navy's action
Action of 6 April 1776
The Battle of Block Island was a nighttime naval encounter between the Continental Navy, returning from a successful raid on Nassau in The Bahamas on its maiden voyage, and , a Royal Navy dispatch boat...
with the Glasgow
HMS Glasgow
Eight ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Glasgow after the Scottish city of Glasgow: was a 20-gun sixth rate, previously the Scottish ship Royal Mary. She was transferred to the Royal Navy in 1707 and was sold in 1719. was a 24-gun sixth rate launched in 1745 and sold in 1756. was a...
on April 6, 1776; he was highly critical of the action, noting that the lack of signalling by Commodore Esek Hopkins
Esek Hopkins
Commodore Esek Hopkins was the first and only Commander in Chief of the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War. He was also an accomplished merchant captain and privateer.-Early life and career:...
led to a "helter skelter" action. He captured numerous vessels including British army transports on later cruises.
He participated in a cruise of the Newfoundland Banks that was so successful in the taking of ships, that when he returned to port he had only five sailors left on board his ship; the rest were crewing the prizes.
On June 6, 1776, he was appointed by Continental Congress
Continental Congress
The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates called together from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the American Revolution....
to command the Randolph
USS Randolph (1776)
The first USS Randolph was a 32-gun frigate in the Continental Navy named for Peyton Randolph.Construction of the first Randolph was authorized by the Continental Congress on 13 December 1775. The frigate, designed by Joshua Humphreys, was launched on 10 July 1776, by Wharton and Humphreys at...
, a 32-gun frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
then being built in Philadelphia. She was launched near the close of the year, and sailed early in 1777. In September 1777, Biddle captured HMS True Briton and her three-ship convoy.
On March 7, 1778, off Barbados, the Randolph engaged
Battle off Barbados
The Battle off Barbados was fought in March of 1778 during the American Revolutionary War. While escorting a fleet of American ships in the West Indies, the frigate USS Randolph was attacked by the British ship-of-the-line HMS Yarmouth...
the British 64-gun ship-of-the-line HMS Yarmouth. Rather than trying to flee from the more heavily armed opponent, the Randolph engaged in battle. An eyewitness reported the frigate held her own in the twenty minute engagement, appearing, "to fire four or five broadsides to the Yarmouth's one." After Biddle was wounded, the Randolph blew up suddenly, killing all but four of the 305 on board including Biddle. The loss of Randolph was a serious blow to the fledgling Continental Navy
Continental Navy
The Continental Navy was the navy of the United States during the American Revolutionary War, and was formed in 1775. Through the efforts of the Continental Navy's patron, John Adams and vigorous Congressional support in the face of stiff opposition, the fleet cumulatively became relatively...
.
His brother, Edward Biddle
Edward Biddle
Edward Biddle was an American soldier, lawyer, and statesman from Pennsylvania. He was a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1774 and 1775.-Biography:...
, was a staunch advocate for American independence, and his nephew, Nicholas Biddle (1786-1844), was an esteemed banker.
Four ships
USS Biddle
Four ships of the United States Navy have been named Biddle, in honor of Captain Nicholas Biddle. was a torpedo boat in service from 1901 to 1919. was a destroyer commissioned 1918 and in use until 1945....
of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
have been named for him.
See also
Cyrus Townsend BradyCyrus Townsend Brady
Cyrus Townsend Brady was a journalist, historian and adventure writer. His most well-known work is "Indian Fights and Fighters". He was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1883. In 1889, he was ordained a deacon in the Episcopal church, and was ordained a...
whose book For Love of Country" is based partly on the life of Nicholas Biddle.