Nicholas Biddle (naval officer)

From Freepedia

Nicholas Biddle (September 10, 1750 - March 7, 1777) was one of the first five captains of the Continental Navy, being assigned to the Andrew Doria.

Biddle was born in Philadelphia, and at the age of thirteen he went on a voyage to the West Indies and while there was marooned on a desert island for two months. In 1770 he became a midshipman in the Royal Navy. In 1773 he resigned from the navy in order to join Captain Phipps proposed expedition to the Arctic. While on this trip he met the future Lord Nelson.

As the American Revolution threatened to break out, he returned to the colonies, where he was made Captain of Andrew Doria. He participated in the capture of New Providence. He participated in a cruise of the Newfoundland Banks that was so successful in the taking of ships, that when he returned to port he had only 5 sailors left, the rest were crewing the prizes.

On June 6, 1776, he was appointed by Continental Congress to command the Randolph a 32-gun frigate then building in Philadelphia. She was launched near the close of the year, and sailed early in 1777. On March 7, the Randolph encountered the British 64-gun ship HMS Yarmouth. Rather than trying to flee from the more heavily armed opponent, the Randolph engaged in battle. After a twenty minute engagement the Randolph blew up killing all but four of the 310 onboard including Nicholas Biddle. The loss of Randolph was serious to the fledgling Continental Navy.

His brother Edward Biddle was a staunch advocate for independence, and his nephew Nicholas Biddle (1786-1844) was an esteemed banker.

Four ships of the United States Navy were named for him.