William Nichols (mariner)
Encyclopedia
William Nichols of Falmouth, England was a sea captain in the 18th century. He played a prominent role in one of the greatest marine disasters in Canadian history as measured by loss of Canadian lives (see list of disasters involving Canadians 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. At least 360 Acadians perished. Nichols' received international attention when his journal recounting the tragic incident was published in popular print throughout the 19th century in England and America. 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
.
described by Nichols in his journal as the "head prisoner".
. During the revolution, he was taken prisoner by American patriots. Nichols wrote to George Washington
on May 6, 1778 and requested his prompt release through a prisoner exchange with England.
, England and finished his career making trans-Atlantic crossings in the Swift Packet delivering mail, though illness on occasion made him unable to travel.
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
.
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 notable passenger on board the Duke William was Noel DoironNoel Doiron
Noel Doiron was a leader of the Acadians, renown for the decisions he made during the Deportation of the Acadians. Doiron was deported on a vessel named the Duke William . The sinking of the Duke William was one of the worst marine disasters in Canadian history...
described by Nichols in his journal as the "head prisoner".
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 RevolutionAmerican Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
. During the revolution, he was taken prisoner by American patriots. Nichols wrote to George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
on May 6, 1778 and requested his prompt release through a prisoner exchange with England.
Captain of the Swift Packet
After his release as a prisoner, Captain Nichols took up residence in Falmouth, CornwallFalmouth, Cornwall
Falmouth is a town, civil parish and port on the River Fal on the south coast of Cornwall, England, United Kingdom. It has a total resident population of 21,635.Falmouth is the terminus of the A39, which begins some 200 miles away in Bath, Somerset....
, England and finished his career making trans-Atlantic crossings in the Swift Packet delivering mail, though illness on occasion made him unable to travel.