John Toup Nicolas

Rear-Admiral John Toup Nicolas CB KH (1788–1851) was a Royal Navy officer.

Nicolas was born in East Looe, Cornwall. He entered the Royal Navy in 1797 and later served on various ships, including HMS Edgar, HMS Malta, and HMS Queen. As a lieutenant, he participated in the 3rd Battle of Cape Finisterre in 1805. Nicolas commanded several successful attacks while in charge of HMS Pilot, earning praise from the British press. He was promoted to Captain in 1815 and later commanded HMS Egeria, HMS Hercules, HMS Belleisle, and HMS Vindictive. Nicolas was appointed Superintendent of the Victualling Yard at Plymouth in 1847 and retired as Rear Admiral in 1850. He died in Plymouth and is buried in St Martin's Church there.

Life

He was the eldest son of Lieutenant (Commander) John Harris Nicolas R.N. (1758–1844) and his wife, Margaret Blake. He was born on 22 February 1788 at East Looe in Cornwall. He was the brother of antiquarian Nicholas Harris Nicolas; 1st Lt Paul Harris Nicolas RM; and Lt Keigwin Nicolas RN (died 17 June 1815).

He was created Lieutenant on HMS Malta on 1 May 1805. Soon after, on 22 July 1805, he took part in his first major sea-battle: the 3rd Battle of Cape Finisterre off the north-west coast of Iberia. They then sailed to the Mediterranean and spent two years patrolling. In February 1807, the ship took place in the blockade of Cádiz.

In June 1807 he was created flag-lieutenant on the 98-gun HMS Queen and in October 1807 was created flag-lieutenant on the 80-gun HMS Canopus under Rear Admiral George Martin. 25 July 1810 - With HMS Thames under Granville George Waldegrave and HMS Weazle attacked an enemy Neapolitan convoy off Calabria consisting of 32 transport ships and 7 gunboats and four other armed vessels, all under command of Giovanni Caracciolo. This successful attack was at the British loss of only one killed and six wounded. 26 May 1811 - HMS Pilot in a solo attacked vessels on a beach between Neto and Lipuda on the Calabrian coast, capturing three vessels at the loss of only one British wounded. 6 September 1811 - As a solo action Pilot burnt a ketch under the walls of Castella 16 April 1812 - Pilot in a solo action captured nine vessels on a beach near Policastro Bussentino in Campania 14 May 1812 - With HMS Thames under Captain Charles Napier attacked a battery at Sapri with a group of marines led by Rofer Langlands caused the battery to surrender and captured 28 barges containing oil. June 1812 - With HMS Cephalus and HMS Euryalus attacked a large convoy being protected by three batteries off Dino. An unsuccessful attack with heavy damage to the Pilot

Promotion On 4 June 1815 he was awarded a Commander of the Order of the Bath by the Prince Regent.

He was given a period of extended shore leave before being given command of 20-gun HMS Egeria and her crew of 121 men on 5 January 1820 in place of Captain Henry Shiffner. Their daughter, Frances Anna Nicolas (1827-1838), did not survive to adulthood.