Nicholson, Samuel

Nicholson, Samuel, 1743–1811, American naval officer, b. Maryland. The brother of James Nicholson, he served in the Continental navy during the American Revolution, making many successful captures. He was commissioned (1794) captain in the new U.S. navy, superintended the construction of the Constitution, and on her completion in 1798 (at the time of American-French difficulties) cruised the Atlantic in search of French ships.

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