William Nichols

Who is William Nichols?

William Nichols of Falmouth, Cornwall, 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. 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.