Nick Mickelson

Background Story
Born in 1775, Nick Mickelson became interested in shipbuilding at a very early age. While growing up in Gillingham, in the county of Kent, Nick used to spend his days admiring the building of ships at the nearby Catham Royal Dockyards. Seeing the workers take out the logs, shrouded in steam in the winter time, and bend them to trim the ship, Nick developed a keen love for shipbuilding. He started working there as soon as he was old enough, and as he was a gentleman from a family of both means and education, he became an apprentice to the dockyard’s Master Shipwright. He oversaw the construction, fitting out, and repair of countless Royal Navy warships during his time in Catham, and when the Navy Board decided to establish a new Royal Dockyard for His Majesty’s dominions in the West Indies, Nick was chosen to oversee its operations as its new Dockyard Commissioner.

After the trying journey from England to the Caribbean, Nick spent some days in Kingston. It was there that he met Captain Sir James Thomson, of the Saint George Squadron of the White, and was told of the Squadron’s operations in the area. Deciding to support the Squadron with warships, outfitting and victualling, Nick Mickelson became a member, and began establishing his dockyard. He entrusts the moving of goods and materials to his many workers, but also enjoys taking command as captain of merchant vessels himself. In 1816, his expertise and commitment was recognized by the Crown, and he was made a Knight Companion of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath on October 1st. In the same year, his work on shipbuilding also earned him the St. George Citation for Conspicuous Bravery, the Naval Gold Medal, and an Admiral's Commendation from the Commander-in-Chief of the Jamaica Station.

Record of Achievement

 *  January 1st 1817 - Awarded the Naval Gold Medal for his continued work on shipbuilding.
 *  December 4th 1816 - Awarded an Admiral's Commendation for making shipbuilding planning tools, and presenting these to the Squadron.
 *  October 1st 1816 - Promoted to Knight Companion of the Most Honourable Military Order of the Bath.
 *  August 1st 1816 - Awarded the St. George Citation for Conspicuous Bravery for his work on shipbuilding.
 *  February 13th 1816 - Joined the St. George Squadron of the White.