USS Nicholson was an O'Brien-class destroyer built for the United States Navy before the American entry into World War I. The ship was the second U.S. Navy vessel named in honor of five members of the Nicholson family who rendered distinguished service in the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the American Civil War: brothers James, Samuel, and John Nicholson; William Nicholson, son of John; and James W. Nicholson, grandson of Samuel.
Nicholson during trials in 1915
The O'Brien class of destroyers was a class of six ships designed by and built for the United States Navy shortly before the United States entered World War I. The O'Brien class was the third of five classes of destroyers that were known as the "thousand tonners", because they were the first U.S. destroyers over 1,000 long tons (1,016 t) displacement.
Lead ship of the O'Brien class, USS O'Brien
O'Brien class member Ericsson, between the closely related Tucker-class ships Jacob Jones (left) and Wadsworth, is moored by destroyer tender Melville at Queenstown, Ireland, in 1917.
O'Brien, in dazzle camouflage, escorting a convoy in 1918
Nicholson