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{{notability|Biographies|date=January 2010}}
{{notability|Biographies|date=January 2010}}
{{nofootnotes|date=January 2010}}
{{nofootnotes|date=January 2010}}
[[Captain (naval)|Captain]] '''William Nichols''' of [[Norfolk]], England played a prominent role in one of the greatest disasters in Canadian history prior to the 20th century (see [[list of Canadian disasters by death toll]]). Nichols was the captain and co-owner of the transport vessel, the Duke William, when it sank in the North Atlantic on December 13, 1758.<ref>Journal of Captain William Nichols: "The Naval Chronicle" Vol. 17, 1807, p. 396</ref> More than 350 [[Acadians]] perished.<ref>Shawn Scott and Tod Scott, "Noel Doiron and the East Hants Acadians", Journal of the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society, Vol. 11, 2008, p. 45.</ref> Nichols' received international attention when his journal recounting the tragic incident was published in popular print throughout the 19th century in England and America.<ref>The Publications included Frost,John, "The Book of Good Examples Drawn from History and Biography", New York: 1846, p.65; "The Saturday Magazine" (1821), p. 502; and Percy, Reubens, "Percey's Anecdotes", New York (1843), p.44.</ref> Several years after the sinking of the Duke William, Nichols also received international attention again when he was taken captive by American patriots during the [[American Revolution]].<ref>Letter to George Washington from Henry Lee Jr. dated November 8, 1777, "The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War, 12 pp. 168-169.</ref>
[[Captain (naval)|Captain]] '''William Nichols''' of [[Norfolk]], England played a prominent role in one of the greatest disasters in Canadian history prior to the 20th century (see [[list of Canadian disasters by death toll]]).<ref>Barrington, G.(1968). ''La Societe Historique Acadienne: Les Cahiers'', pp.287-298. </ref> Nichols was the captain and co-owner of the transport vessel, the Duke William, when it sank in the North Atlantic on December 13, 1758.<ref>Journal of Captain William Nichols: "The Naval Chronicle" Vol. 17, 1807, p. 396</ref> More than 350 [[Acadians]] perished.<ref>Shawn Scott and Tod Scott, "Noel Doiron and the East Hants Acadians", Journal of the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society, Vol. 11, 2008, p. 45.</ref> Nichols' received international attention when his journal recounting the tragic incident was published in popular print throughout the 19th century in England and America.<ref>The Publications included Frost,John, "The Book of Good Examples Drawn from History and Biography", New York: 1846, p.65; "The Saturday Magazine" (1821), p. 502; and Percy, Reubens, "Percey's Anecdotes", New York (1826), p.44., Barrington, George Winslow(c.1880). ''Remarkable Voyages and Shipwrecks''. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent and Co.;</ref> Several years after the sinking of the Duke William, Nichols also received international attention again when he was taken captive by American patriots during the [[American Revolution]].<ref>Letter to George Washington from Henry Lee Jr. dated November 8, 1777, "The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War, 12 pp. 168-169.</ref>


== Captain of the Duke William ==
== Captain of the Duke William ==
During the [[Seven Years War]], Captain Nichols owned and captained the vessel known as the Duke William. In 1758, Nichols was tasked with transporting exiled Acadians to France. While ''en route'' to France, the Duke William sank and 362 [[Acadians]] perished. One noteable passenger on board the Duke William was [[Noel Doiron]] described by Nichols in his journal as the "head prisoner".<ref>John Frost, "The Book of Good Examples Drawn from History and Biography", New York: 1846, p.65.</ref>
During the [[Seven Years War]], Captain Nichols owned and captained the vessel known as the Duke William. In 1758, Nichols was tasked with transporting exiled Acadians to France. While ''en route'' to France, the Duke William sank and 362 [[Acadians]] perished. One noteable passenger on board the Duke William was [[Noel Doiron]] described by Nichols in his journal as the "head prisoner".<ref>Frost, J., Frost,(1846). "The Book of Good Examples Drawn from History and Biography", New York: D. Appleton and Company, p.65.</ref>


== Captain of the Eagle Packet==
== Captain of the Eagle Packet==

Revision as of 08:32, 14 January 2010

Captain William Nichols of Norfolk, England played a prominent role in one of the greatest disasters in Canadian history prior to the 20th century (see list of Canadian disasters by death toll).[1] Nichols was the captain and co-owner of the transport vessel, the Duke William, when it sank in the North Atlantic on December 13, 1758.[2] More than 350 Acadians perished.[3] Nichols' received international attention when his journal recounting the tragic incident was published in popular print throughout the 19th century in England and America.[4] Several years after the sinking of the Duke William, Nichols also received international attention again when he was taken captive by American patriots during the American Revolution.[5]

Captain of the Duke William

During the Seven Years War, Captain Nichols owned and captained the vessel known as the Duke William. In 1758, Nichols was tasked with transporting exiled Acadians to France. While en route to France, the Duke William sank and 362 Acadians perished. One noteable passenger on board the Duke William was Noel Doiron described by Nichols in his journal as the "head prisoner".[6]

Captain of the Eagle Packet

Captain Nichols survived the sinking of the Duke William and went on to own and captain a Falmouth Packet called the "Eagle" during the American Revolution.[7] During the revolution, he was taken prisoner by American patriots [8]. Nichols wrote to George Washington on May 6, 1778 and requested his prompt release through a prisoner exchange with England.[9].

Captain of the Swift Packet

After his release as a prisoner, Captain Nichols took up residence in Falmouth, Cornwall, England and finished his career making trans-Atlantic crossings in the Swift Packet delivering mail, though illness on occasion made him unable to travel.[10]

References

  1. ^ Barrington, G.(1968). La Societe Historique Acadienne: Les Cahiers, pp.287-298.
  2. ^ Journal of Captain William Nichols: "The Naval Chronicle" Vol. 17, 1807, p. 396
  3. ^ Shawn Scott and Tod Scott, "Noel Doiron and the East Hants Acadians", Journal of the Royal Nova Scotia Historical Society, Vol. 11, 2008, p. 45.
  4. ^ The Publications included Frost,John, "The Book of Good Examples Drawn from History and Biography", New York: 1846, p.65; "The Saturday Magazine" (1821), p. 502; and Percy, Reubens, "Percey's Anecdotes", New York (1826), p.44., Barrington, George Winslow(c.1880). Remarkable Voyages and Shipwrecks. London: Simpkin, Marshall, Hamilton, Kent and Co.;
  5. ^ Letter to George Washington from Henry Lee Jr. dated November 8, 1777, "The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War, 12 pp. 168-169.
  6. ^ Frost, J., Frost,(1846). "The Book of Good Examples Drawn from History and Biography", New York: D. Appleton and Company, p.65.
  7. ^ Tony Pawlyn (2003). The Falmouth Packets. Truran Publications. by Tony Pawlyn (Author)
  8. ^ Letter to George Washington from Henry Lee Jr. dated November 8, 1777, "The Papers of George Washington: Revolutionary War, 12 pp. 168-169.
  9. ^ Letter from William Nichols to George Washington dated May 6, 1778: "The Papers of George Washington" Theodore J. Crackel, Editor in Chief.
  10. ^ Letter to Henry Laurens from William Nichols, 1780
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