USS Nicholas (FFG-47)

USS "Nicholas" (FFG-47), an Sclass|Oliver Hazard Perry|frigate, was the third ship of the United States Navy to be named for Major Samuel Nicholas, the first commanding officer of the United States Marines.A third-generation guided missile frigate of the Oliver Hazard Perry class, she was laid down as Bath Iron Works hull number 388 on 27 September 1982 and launched 23 April 1983. Sponsor at her commissioning there on 10 March 1984 was the same Mrs. Edward B. Tryon who sponsored DD 449 in 1942.

"Nicholas" was designed to provide in-depth protection for military and merchant shipping, amphibious task forces, and underway replenishment groups. Her 453-foot (loa) hull displaces 4,100 tons and her gas turbine power develops 41,000 shp for a single screw, giving a top speed of 29 plus knots.

Since her commissioning, "Nicholas" has deployed to the Persian Gulf, Mediterranean and North Sea, as well as participating in maritime interdiction operations and various fleet exercises. During her first four years as a commissioned vessel, she earned three Battle Efficiency "E" awards, and the Battenberg Cup as the best ship in the Atlantic Fleet. She earned the Top Ship award from Commander Battle Force Sixth Fleet during her first deployment to the Mediterranean.

During her first years, "Nicholas" was part of Destroyer Squadron Six in Charleston, South Carolina. Her sister ships in DESRON SIX included USS|Taylor|FFG-50|6 and USS|O'Bannon|DD-987|2, which harkened back to the World War II Sclass|Fletcher|destroyer|1s USS|Nicholas|DD-449|2, USS|Taylor|DD-468|2, and USS|O'Bannon|DD-450|2. These ships had such distinguished records in World War II, especially in the Solomons Island campaign, that Admiral Halsey ordered all three ships present with USS|Missouri|BB-63|6 at the Japanese surrender in Tokyo Bay.

In July 1987, "Nicholas", together with DESRON SIX sister ship USS|Deyo|DD-989|2, deployed with the USS|Iowa|BB-61|2 Battleship Battlegroup to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. She earned her first Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal.

When hostilities with Iraq broke out during the Gulf War on 17 January 1991, "Nicholas" was serving in the extreme Northern Persian Gulf as an advance Combat Search and Rescue platform, more than 70 miles forward of the nearest allied warship. During the first few weeks of the war she distinguished herself in action by attacking Iraqi positions off the coast of Kuwait, capturing the first of 23 Iraqi prisoners of war, sinking or damaging seven Iraqi patrol boats, destroying eight drifting mines and successfully rescuing a downed USAF F-16 pilot from the waters off the Kuwaiti coast. "Nicholas" also escorted the battleships "Missouri" and USS|Wisconsin|BB-64|2 during naval gunfire support operations near Khafji off the coast of the Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

In her 1993 six-month deployment, "Nicholas" conducted operations in the Red Sea, Mediterranean, Ionian Sea and Adriatic Sea. This deployment was in support of the United Nations sanctions against the governments of Iraq and the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. During these operations, she safely conducted over 170 boardings of merchant vessels to inspect for illegal cargo shipments.

In 1995, "Nicholas" deployed to the Adriatic and was assigned to the Standing NATO Force Atlantic, again operating in support of United Nations resolutions in Operation Sharp Guard. She intercepted over 120 vessels in enforcing sanctions against the Former Republic of Yugoslavia. Additionally "Nicholas" located and rescued 16 Albanian citizens from a capsized fishing boat.

The 2001 deployment took "Nicholas" to the Mediterranean and Persian Gulf. While in the Mediterranean, she conducted numerous boardings in support of United Nations sanctions. On 11 September, "Nicholas" sortied on an emergency basis from Valletta, Malta and conducted sustained underway operations until returning to her home port of Norfolk, Virginia six months later.

The year 2003 saw another deployment for "Nicholas". During this historic deployment she hosted COMNAVEURCENT, Ambassadors and many high ranking dignitaries in St. Petersburg, Russia. Later she became the first warship to enter Neum, Bosnia since 1917, and the first U.S. warship ever. While there, "Nicholas" hosted the Bosnian Tri-Presidency and numerous government and military officials.

"Nicholas" operated as the sole US warship in the Mediterranean for her six month deployment and acted as a surrogate for the Argentina ship "Sarandi", enhancing international relations and building new alliances. She participated in multiple exercises and operations and achieved historic distinction when she tracked and assisted in the interception of a merchant ship loaded with nuclear centrifuges bound for Libya. US Government officials directly linked the interception of this vessel to the abandonment of Libya's nuclear weapons program.

"Nicholas" has earned the Combat Action Ribbon, Southwest Asia Service Medal (with three bronze stars), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the NATO Medal, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Sea Service Ribbon (with seven bronze stars), Meritorious Unit Commendation, a Coast Guard Meritorious Unit Commendation (with O for Law Enforcement), and six Battle Efficiency "E" awards as top ship in her squadron.

She continues today to be ready for the next call her government makes on her, allowing another chance to live up to her motto of "Carrying On A Proud Tradition."

External links

* [http://www.nicholas.navy.mil/ USS "Nicholas" official website]
* [http://www.nvr.navy.mil/nvrships/details/FFG47.htm nvr.navy.mil: USS "Nicholas"]
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/07/0747.htm navsource.org: USS "Nicholas"]
* [http://www.navysite.de/ffg/FFG47.HTM navysite.de: USS "Nicholas"]
* [http://www.maritimequest.com/warship_directory/us_navy_pages/frigates/pages/nicholas_ffg_47_page_1.htm MaritimeQuest USS "Nicholas" FFG-47 pages]