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Biddle (NICHOLAS an American naval)

NICHOLAS, an American naval officer, born in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 10, 1750. After serving in the British navy and in the Arctic exploring expedition led by Captain Phipps, he returned to his native country at the outbreak of the Revolution, and was one of the five officers who received the rank of captain at the or- 1775. In command of the "Andrea Doria" he accompanied Fleet- Captain Hopkins to the Bahamas, and was present at the capture of New Providence. In 1777 he took command of the 32-gun ship "Randolph," the first American frigate ever launched. He met the British "Yarmouth," 64 guns, on March 7, 1778, and in the ensuing action the "Randolph” blew up, causing the death of her captain and about 315 others.