Portrait of Captain John Orrin Spicer

carte de visite

Carte de visite, mounted on white card with gold beveled edge; portrait of Capt. John Orrin Spicer, originally in scrimshaw frame (1955.951); printed on back "Giles Bishop,/ 22 State Street,/ New London,/ Conn." Spicer, of Groton, CT, commanded the NILE on 3 voyages, June 15 - Dec. 9, 1874; May 5, 1875- Jan 11, 1986; and June 24, 1876 - Nov. 17, 1876; on the second of which he was flung overboard by a whale's fluke and almost drowned. A 4th voyage on the NILE brought only enough to cover the expenses. He made several voyages to the Arctic in New London whaleships, and was a friend of the Eskimos among whom he lived months at a time.