Samuel Nicholson
Encyclopedia
Samuel Nicholson was an officer in the Continental Navy
during the American Revolutionary War
and later in the United States Navy
.
.
under John Paul Jones
who at the time was commander of the Deane
, which was used to capture three British sloops-of-war. He also commanded the Dolphin in 1776.
was finally won there were few ships to speak of in the young American Navy. The navy, like the army, was largely disbanded, with many naval vessels being sold or turned into merchantman
vessels. Now that America had won its independence it no longer had the protection of the British navy and had to defend its own interests abroad. The idea of an American Navy was the subject of much debate between the Federalists who favored a strong navy and the anti-federalists who felt the money required for a navy would be better spent elsewhere. However the repeated threats from France and the Barbary states of North Africa had given cause to now consider resorting to more forceful measures to procure the security of American shipping interests.
was one of six frigates authorized by act of Congress which was approved on March 27 1794. The vessel was designed by Joshua Humphreys, and built at Hartt's Shipyard, Boston, Mass., under the supervision of George Clag-horn. Captain Samuel Nicholson was the naval inspector who also oversaw her construction. Upon her completion the Constitution was launched at Boston Mass. on September 27, 1797, under the command of Samuel Nicholson. His 1st Lieutenant was Charles Russel.
, and is buried in the crypt of the Old North Church
in Boston, Massachusetts.
were named for him and other members of his family who served as naval officers: his elder brother, James Nicholson
, his younger brother John Nicholson
, his nephew, William Nicholson
and his grandson James W. Nicholson
.
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...
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...
and later in 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...
.
Early life
The son of Joseph and Hannah Scott Nicholson, Samuel Nicholson was born in Chestertown, MarylandChestertown, Maryland
Chestertown is a town in Kent County, Maryland, United States. The population was 4,746 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Kent County. The ZIP code is 21620 and the area codes are 410 and 443...
.
Service in American Revolution
Nicholson was a captain in the Continental Navy. He was the first commandant of the Boston Navy Yard. He served as a Lieutenant on the USS Bonhomme RichardUSS Bonhomme Richard (1765)
|-External links:** Clive Cussler recounts his elusive search for the Bonhomme Richard....
under John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones
John Paul Jones was a Scottish sailor and the United States' first well-known naval fighter in the American Revolutionary War. Although he made enemies among America's political elites, his actions in British waters during the Revolution earned him an international reputation which persists to...
who at the time was commander of the Deane
USS Deane (1778)
The Continental Navy frigate USS Deane, named after American commissioner to France Silas Deane, was built at Nantes, France, and brought to the United States in May 1778 to be prepared for sea...
, which was used to capture three British sloops-of-war. He also commanded the Dolphin in 1776.
Post revolution service
By the time 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...
was finally won there were few ships to speak of in the young American Navy. The navy, like the army, was largely disbanded, with many naval vessels being sold or turned into merchantman
Merchantman
A merchantman is any non-naval vessel, including Tankers, freighters, or cargo ships, but not troopships.Merchantman may refer to:*ST Merchantman, a tug in service with United Towing Co Ltd from 1946 to 1962...
vessels. Now that America had won its independence it no longer had the protection of the British navy and had to defend its own interests abroad. The idea of an American Navy was the subject of much debate between the Federalists who favored a strong navy and the anti-federalists who felt the money required for a navy would be better spent elsewhere. However the repeated threats from France and the Barbary states of North Africa had given cause to now consider resorting to more forceful measures to procure the security of American shipping interests.
First commander of USS Constitution
The USS ConstitutionUSS Constitution
USS Constitution is a wooden-hulled, three-masted heavy frigate of the United States Navy. Named by President George Washington after the Constitution of the United States of America, she is the world's oldest floating commissioned naval vessel...
was one of six frigates authorized by act of Congress which was approved on March 27 1794. The vessel was designed by Joshua Humphreys, and built at Hartt's Shipyard, Boston, Mass., under the supervision of George Clag-horn. Captain Samuel Nicholson was the naval inspector who also oversaw her construction. Upon her completion the Constitution was launched at Boston Mass. on September 27, 1797, under the command of Samuel Nicholson. His 1st Lieutenant was Charles Russel.
Later life
Nicholson died at Charlestown, MassachusettsCharlestown, Massachusetts
Charlestown is a neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts, United States, and is located on a peninsula north of downtown Boston. Charlestown was originally a separate town and the first capital of the Massachusetts Bay Colony; it became a city in 1847 and was annexed by Boston on January 5, 1874...
, and is buried in the crypt of the Old North Church
Old North Church
Old North Church , at 193 Salem Street, in the North End of Boston, is the location from which the famous "One if by land, and two if by sea" signal is said to have been sent...
in Boston, Massachusetts.
Namesakes and honors
The U.S. Navy ships named USS NicholsonUSS Nicholson
Four ships of the United States Navy have borne the name USS Nicholson, named in honor of the Nicholson family, James; Samuel; John; William; and James W.., was a Blakely-class torpedo boat, launched in 1901 and struck in 1909...
were named for him and other members of his family who served as naval officers: his elder brother, James Nicholson
James Nicholson (naval officer)
James Nicholson was an officer in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War.The son of Joseph and Hannah Scott Nicholson, he was born in Chestertown, Maryland. James Nicholson served in the colonial Navy with the British in the assault on Havana in 1762, and was commissioned...
, his younger brother John Nicholson
John Nicholson (naval officer)
John Nicholson was an officer in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War.The son of Joseph and Hannah Scott Nicholson, he was born in Chestertown, Maryland. John Nicholson entered the Continental Navy as Lieutenant in October 1776 and the next month was promoted to Captain to...
, his nephew, William Nicholson
William Nicholson (naval officer)
William Carmichael Nicholson was an officer in the United States Navy during the War of 1812 and the Civil War.A native of Maryland, Nicholson was the son of naval officer John Nicholson...
and his grandson James W. Nicholson
James W. Nicholson
Rear Admiral James William Augustus Nicholson was an officer in the United States Navy during the Mexican-American War and the American Civil War.-Biography:...
.