 Nicholson was authorized in March 1913 as the second of six ships of the O 'Brien class , which was an improved version of the Cassin @-@ class destroyers authorized in 1911 . Construction of the vessel was awarded to William Cramp and Sons of Philadelphia which laid down her keel on 8 September 1913 , the same date as of sister ship O 'Brien . On 19 August 1914 , Nicholson was launched by sponsor Mrs. Charles T. Taylor . The ship was the second US Navy ship named after five members of the Nicholson family who gave distinguished service in the American Revolutionary War , the War of 1812 , and the American Civil War . They were brothers James Nicholson , the senior Continental Navy Captain ; Samuel Nicholson , the first captain of USS Constitution ; and John Nicholson ; Also honored were William Nicholson , son of John ; and James W. Nicholson , grandson of Samuel . 
