A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Nicholas, John
NICHOLAS. (Lieut., 1815. f-p., 16; h-p., 25.)
John Nicholas entered the Navy, 1 Jan. 1806, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Achille 74, Capts. Sir Rich. King, Hon. Geo. Heneage Lawrence Dundas, and Aiskew Paffard Hollis; in which ship he continued to serve, as Midshipman and Master’s Mate, on the Home, Mediterranean, and Brazilian stations, the latter part of the time under the flag of Vice-Admiral Manley Dixon, until July, 1815. Besides accompanying the expedition of 1809 to the Walcheren, he co-operated in the defence of Sicily, and was for a considerable period employed in blockading the French and Venetian squadrons in Venice, consisting of three line-of-battle ships and a frigate ready for sea, and several of each class fitting in the arsenal. On leaving the Achille, as above, he took up a commission dated 15 Feb. 1815. His subsequent appointments, were – 9 May, 1837, to the San Josef 110, flag-ship at Plymouth of Admiral-Superintendent Fred. Warren – 10 April, 1840, for a brief period, to the Coast Guard – and 22 May, 1843, and 22 May, 1845, to the San Josef again and Caledonia 120, both commanded at Devonport by Capt. Manley Hall Dixon. He has been on half-pay since the spring of 1846.