New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-04-09
REAR-ADMIRAL YICH0LSON's CAREER.
A NOTED FAMILY IN NAVAL ANNALs-THE RECORD
OF FoRTY-FIvE YEARS OF SERVICE.

NOTED FAMILY IN NAVAL ANNALs-THE RECORD
OF FoRTY-FIvE YEARS OF SERVICE.
Rear. Admiral j. w. A. Nicholson, who on
March 10 turned the command OF the European
Station TO relief admiral Baldwin, and went on
the retired list after ortyve years OF scve and pair
otto service the last representative In the United
States Navy Of a family or more of whose members
had been prominent in that branch OF the public service
ever since foundation OF the Government His grand
fail er Commodore Samuel NicholsOn-one OF three
brothers, Commodores In the Nayy-was Lieutenant
under Paul Jones in the action between the Bon
Homme Richard and the Scraps. He was also the first
commander of the Constitution Told Ironsidesh ana
was senior officer the Navy his death He left son,
Admiral Nicnosons father, who was an ofce in the
Navy aud sery ed calamity during the last war with
Great Britain.
Admiral Nicholson service in all parts OF
the world. He entered the Navy as midshpman In
1895 and till 1852 tfrom mdshipman to Acting Leuten-
ant, served in the Mediterranean, Mexican War, West
Indies and Pacific Station. From 1893 to 1879 ne was
Lieutenant on the Vandaa. In the Japanese expedition
under Commodore Perry He was stationed on shore Tor
several months with guard at Shanghai China to pro
tect the foreign settlement during the Chinese rebellion
In 1856 he volunteered and served ON the Arctic In
search of the Inflated Pacific. From 1857 to 1850 he
was on duty on the African coast. Early In 1861 he
became executive OF the PocahOntas in the engagement
with Confederate batteries on Acquia Creek ana tine
Potomac River and aided in the protection Of Washing
the Du Pont Port Royal expedition. where he won the
warm commentator of Admiral Du Pont for his efforts
10 render aid and the steamer Governor his
own vessel disabled hy tho storm aud placed in
great peril During the battle OF Port Royal. Noycm-
Der T. 1861 he evnced two of his characteristic traits
GOODNESS and courage. when the Seminole aud other
vessels came 10 offer aid, his ship envcloped in
clouds of steam he thanked them, saying he could take
care of himself and told them to keep 70 their line
in the battle. and he continued fighting until the
battle was won. lie rendered important service
of Fort Pulaski. Fernandna, ST. Marys and Jackson
WILLIE In the spring OF s62 he assigned the command
of St Augustine After turning 1t TO the army Of
cupaton he the st. Johns River and. while in
command OF division of gunboats that river, was
attacked by Confederate infantry. and defeated them
with considerable loss to the enemy lie kept the river
and coast clear OF batteries and gnerillas I'm Feb
ruary 1862 he was IN engagement with Confederate
Aotilla on the Savannah River. In 1862 and 1868 he
was ordnance officer at the New York Station, the De
parnent at that time beng OF vast importance. He
was known able and practical officer OF ordnance.
and while this duty volunteered and commanded tine
Governor Buckingham In search of the Tacony then
missing OF the coast In 1868 and 1854 he commanded
the Shamrock on duty the South Atlantic Bockadng
SuuadrOn before Charleston.
In 1864 in the West Gulf BlOckading Squadron,
under Admiral Farragut, he commanded the mont
tor Manhattan and the battle of Mobile Bay forts
and the capture OF the Confederate ram Tennessee Au
pust sG4 Prior TO the attack upon the forts the little
monitor Manhattan arrived off the bay and shortly after
steamed inside ard anchored in position under fire
from the FORTS and where wooden vessel during the
three years OF the blockade had been placed also
i'm such a position that tine ram Tennessee could have
attacked her 40 any time with mputy from any inter
ference on the part tho wooden vessels they
all outside the bar The Manhattan was the first 10
emerge from the cloud OF smoke that envcloped the
vicinity the forts, and she steamed away she took
course directly the rebel feet opening her guns upon
sho fha forfa Whenf he pet he
feet formed circle about the rebel craft the Manhattan
appeared directly in front OF me ram to head her on INC
caused surrender fired from the guns OF the
Manhattan and while the entire fleet did good SERVICE
the conduct OF Commander Nicholson In the management
OF the Manhattan alone In the opinion OF many officers
OF the Navy saved the Federal Meet from either being
driven out Of Mobile Bay or being sunk beneath its
waters The Manhatan's boats having been shot away
Commander Nicholson unable TO get on board tho
ennesee 10 receive her surrender but Captain Johnson
of the Tennessee afterward stated that he wished to
surrender TO Commander Nicholson OF the Manhattan as
the latter vessel had conquered him. The Manhattan
was also engaged In the borbardment OF Fort Morgan
Commander Nicholson. from 1863 to 1856, commanded
Mohongo Pacific Squadron, and was present ~ the
bombardment OF Valparaiso by the Spanish feet. From
lse7 20 1863 he oiama ded the steamer WampanOag,
which proved TO be ON her trial trip the fastest steamer In
trial at sea- in winter the vessel logged 467 5S statute
miles 10 81 nautical miles hour and on the last
90 A65 statute miles por hour under stca alone She
was only OF number Of vessels built OF this
From 1868 TO 1870 he was navigation officer at the
New York yard. In 1877 aud 1872 he was Captain Of
the flagship Lancaster. Brazil Squadron. and brought
home the Portsmouth. lie was commissioned Conino-
dore November sl873 In 1873 and 1874 he mem
Der OF and in 1878 and $40 president Of the Board
for Examination OF Officers for Promotion and for
Retirement which QOard also revised the Navy Regula
tons 1876 On September 1876 he took command OF
the Brooklyn Navy Yard, which station he commanded
till May !, 1850 On September ], 1881, he ap-
pointed the command Of the European Station, and
was commissioned Rear-Admiral October l, 1881 IL
may be added that when he In charge OF the Brook
lyn Navy Yard he made many important improvements
In its management particularly In respect OF preserya-
ton of materials repaving OF streets repairing OF walls
and the general cleaning up of the yard most OF which
work done by the sailors, at extra expense TO the
Government. These admirable administrative reforms
are now being continued by Commodore Upshur with
great zeal
SERENITY AMONG THE CELESTYALS.