Samuel Nicholson (July 22, 1798 – June 5, 1799) was an officer in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War and later in the United States Navy. [1]
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The son of Joseph and Hannah Scott Nicholson, Samuel Nicholson was born in Chestertown, Maryland. [1]
Nicholson was a captain in the Continental Navy. He was the first commandant of the Boston Navy Yard. [1] He served as a Lieutenant on the USS Bonhomme Richard under John Paul Jones who at the time was commander of the Deane, which was used to capture three British sloops-of-war. [2] He also commanded the Dolphin in 1776. [3]
By the time the American Revolution 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. [4] 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. [5]
The USS Constitution 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. [6] [7] [8]
Nicholson died at Charlestown, Massachusetts, and is buried in the crypt of the Old North Church in Boston, Massachusetts.
The U.S. Navy ships named USS Nicholson 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.