# James W. Nicholson

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United States Navy admiral (1821–1887)

James William Augustus Nicholson Born (1821-03-10)March 10, 1821 Dedham, Massachusetts, U.S. Died October 28, 1887(1887-10-28) (aged 66) New York, U.S. Allegiance United States Branch United States Navy Service years 1838–1883 Rank Rear admiral Commands Isaac Smith Shamrock Manhattan Mohongo European Squadron Conflicts Mexican–American War Opening of Japan American Civil War Egyptian Expedition Relations Samuel Nicholson (grandfather)

Rear Admiral **James William Augustus Nicholson** (10 March 1821 – 28 October 1887) was an officer in the [United States Navy](/source/United_States_Navy) during the [Mexican–American War](/source/Mexican%E2%80%93American_War) and the [American Civil War](/source/American_Civil_War).

## Life and naval career

Coat of Arms of James W. Nicholson

The son of [Nathaniel Nicholson](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nathaniel_Dowse_Nicholson&action=edit&redlink=1) and grandson of [Samuel Nicholson](/source/Samuel_Nicholson), he was born in [Dedham, Massachusetts](/source/Dedham%2C_Massachusetts). Nicholson entered the Navy as a [midshipman](/source/Midshipman) in February 1838. As a Lieutenant, he served in [*Vandalia*](/source/USS_Vandalia_(1828)) in Commodore [Matthew C. Perry](/source/Matthew_C._Perry)'s [Opening of Japan](/source/Opening_of_Japan) from 1853 to 1855.

During the Civil War he served in [*Pocahontas*](/source/USS_Pocahontas_(1852)) and [*Pensacola*](/source/USS_Pensacola_(1859)), and commanded the [*Isaac Smith*](/source/USS_Isaac_Smith), [*Shamrock*](/source/USS_Shamrock), [*Manhattan*](/source/USS_Manhattan_(1863)), and [*Mohongo*](/source/USS_Mohongo). In 1861, under the command of [Percival Drayton](/source/Percival_Drayton) in activities near [Charleston](/source/Charleston%2C_South_Carolina), he was made supervisor of a colony of over 100 former slaves on Otter Island in December 1861.[1]

He commanded the [New York Navy Yard](/source/New_York_Navy_Yard) during 1876 to 1880.

As Commodore from August 1873, and Rear Admiral from October 1881, he commanded the [European Squadron](/source/European_Squadron) from 16 September 1881 to February 1883. When the British bombarded [Alexandria, Egypt](/source/Alexandria%2C_Egypt), in 1882, he rescued the records of the American Consulate and took American and other refugees aboard his [flagship](/source/Flagship), [*Lancaster*](/source/USS_Lancaster_(1858)). Commendation from the [Navy Department](/source/United_States_Department_of_the_Navy) and awards of gratitude from European governments followed.

Nicholson retired on 10 March 1883 and died at his home in New York on 28 October 1887.

## Namesakes

The ships named [USS *Nicholson*](/source/USS_Nicholson) were named for him and four male relatives in the naval service.

## References

- *This article incorporates text from the [public domain](/source/Public_domain)*[Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships](/source/Dictionary_of_American_Naval_Fighting_Ships)*. The entry can be found [here](http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/n5/nicholson-i.htm).*

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Tomblin, Barbara. [Bluejackets and Contrabands: African Americans and the Union Navy](https://muse.jhu.edu/book/3710). University Press of Kentucky, 2009. – via [Project MUSE](/source/Project_MUSE) (subscription required) p. 66–68

Authority control databases International VIAF FAST WorldCat National United States Other Open Library SNAC

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