USS Nicholas (DD-449)

Samuel Nicholas was born in Philadelphia, Pa., in 1744 and received his commission as Capt. of Marines from the Continental Congress on 28 November 1775. He joined Continental Ship Alfred as Marine Officer at her commissioning on 3 December. On 3 March 1776, he commanded the first amphibious landing of American Marines when the Continental Fleet under Commander in Chief Esek Hopkins attacked New Providence in the Bahamas. Leading a party of 200 Marines and 50 Sailors, Nicholas captured Fort Montague, Government House, and Nassau. The capture of New Providence brought badly needed cannon and ammunition to the hard-pressed Continental Army. Promoted to major on 6 June 1776, Nicholas trained Marines for duty at sea and in the field with Gen. George Washington, becoming virtually Commandant of Marines, although such a title did not then exist. He died in Philadelphia on 27 August 1790.

The second Nicholas (DD-449) was laid down 3 March 1941 by the Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine; launched 19 February 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Edward B. Tryon, descendant of Major Samuel Nicholas; and commissioned 4 June 1942, Lt. Comdr. W. D. Brown in command.

Destined to serve in the Pacific through three armed conflicts, Nicholas, assigned to DesRon 21, departed New York City 23 August 1942, sailing in the screen of Washington (BB-56), transited the Canal, and continued on to the Central Pacific, arriving at Espiritu Santo 27 September. Three days later she began escorting Guadalcanal bound troop and supply convoys. Into 1943, she screened the convoys assembled at Espiritu Santo and Noumea to "Cactus" area, Guadalcanal and Tulagi, guarded them as they off-loaded and then returned the vessels to their departure point. Periodically assigned to offensive duties, she also conducted anti-submarine hunterkiller missions off Allied harbors, sweeps of the "Slot," bombarded shore targets and performed gunfire support missions for Marine and Army units as they pushed toward the Tenamba River and total control of the long embattled island.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Nicholas II (DD-449)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.