The Republican journal., 1916-05-25
Capt. ]. F. Nichols.
ONLY 80 Years of Age Commands an Ocean
Going Steamer. An Eventfui Trip
Through Mines on European Shores
ILynn. Mass, Daily Evening ltem.I


ILynn. Mass, Daily Evening ltem.I
Having recently returned from voy.
age to France, for the government OF
which country he carefully guioep an
American owned steamer through neia
or mines and eluded the dreaded summer
sibles of the Teutons, a Lynn man, Capt:
Joseph F. Nichols, has just completed
another long Journey of several thousand
miles with a cargo from. New York to
Los Angeles, CAL. occupying period OF
AZ sailing days.
The steamer of which he is captain has
net tonnage of 10000, and is one OF the
largest of the fleet owned by the Ameri-
can Hawaiian Steamship Company Capt.
Nichols is also the youngest commander
in the employment of this company and
among the youngest of captains OF ocean
ooinp steamers. He now commands the
steamer Floridlan.
Can't. Nichols was formerly in charge
of the steamer Texan, also OF this llne,
and of equal tonnage as that of the Florl-
dian. He was sailing between the Ha-
waiian islands and ports IN the United
States, more often to New YORK and
Philadelphia. His steamer carried car
goes of sugar that were loaded at several
ports in the islands.
When the war broke out in Europe and
ocean going steamers became over-bur,
dened with freight from the United
States to foreign ports, the American
Hawaiian line received f1attering offer
TO withdraw its steamers from the old
service between this country and the
islands and put them IN service between
American and European ports; Inc florl,
dian had Just been completed and lifted
out.
An offer of the Italian government
was accepted to carry over cargo, OF
beef to the Italian army. Capt. Nlchols
was assigned to the Floridian and the
boat sailed for Genoa. On its safe return
to the American port Capt. N1chols re-
ceived orders to take on a load of horses
for the French army This was done
and the boat sailed for France. A sharp
lookout was maintained for submarines
and the officers under Capt. Nichols also
kept keen watch for
Stray Torpedoes and Mines.
Not submarine was sighted either
going or returning and Capt. Nichols
safely guided his ship through the fields
of mines that guard the coasts of the
warning nations.
On his last return from France he was
congratulated by officials of the company
for his successful trip and was rewarded
with a substantial purse of money. He
then received orders to take on cargo
at New York for Los Angeles. This he
did and sailed down the Atlantic, around
South America and up the Pacific to his
destination.
The Floridian is an oil burning steam
err and the trip of more thar 500 miles
was made in AZ days. AS is the custom
of practically all steamship captains,
sailing log was made up during the trip
by Capt Nichols, and on his arrival at
Los Angeles a copy of the log was sent
to his mother and stepfather, Mr.. and
Mrs. Edwards B. Billings of AZ High
Rock street, where his brother, Amos
Nichols, also resides.
Much interest may be found in looking
the log over. 1t shows that during the
trip the Floridian burned a daily average
of POI g. 100 barrels of oil and total of
1864 barrels for the trip. 1t also shows
the location of the steamer on every day
and the average speed maintained, be-
sides much other information concerning
the weather, etc.
Capt. Nichols was born in Searsport,
Maine, and is 80 years of age. He has
been in the employment of the American
line for the past l3 or IA years. On dock
ing at New York he frequently makes a
trip to his mother and brother in this city.
He has always had a liking for the sea,
starting in when boy by sailing with his
father, who was also a sea captain and
who lost his life in the ocean.
His Opportunity.
A number of years ago, when Capt.
Nichols was mate on the steamer
Texan, the boat was loading at New
York preparatory for trip to San Fran
cisco. When the steamer was about
ready to sail the captain was stricken
with an attack of apopIexy and twas
forced to abandon his plans for this voy
age. At the time Mr. Nichols was first
mate on the boat. He was called into
conference with officials of the company
and asked as to his ability to handle
vessel. The result was that he was given
command of the ship and she immediate
ly departed under his command.
On April 20, the Floridian sailed on an