William Nicholson (naval officer)

William Carmichael Nicholson
Born Maryland
Allegiance United States of America
Union
Service/branch United States Navy
Union Navy
Rank Commodore
Unit USS President
Commands held USS Roanoke
Battles/wars War of 1812
American Civil War
Awards Medal of Honor

William Carmichael Nicholson (ca. 1790 – 25 July 1872) 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. He entered as a midshipman in 1812 and served on the USS President under Stephen Decatur during the War of 1812.

Commissioned captain in 1855, he commanded steam frigate USS Roanoke from May 1861. Appointed Commodore on the retired list in July 1862, he served a year on the Retiring Board. He died at the Philadelphia Naval Asylum at the age of approximately eighty.

Namesake

The ships named USS Nicholson were named for him, his father, his uncles, James Nicholson and Samuel Nicholson, and his cousin, James W. Nicholson.

See also

References

This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.