SPICER, William Francis, naval officer, born in New York city, 7 February, 1820; died in the Boston navy-yard, 29 November, 1878. He entered the navy as a midshipman, 21 June, 1839, attended the naval school at Philadelphia in 1843-'5, and became a passed midshipman, 2 July, 1845. He cruised in the steamer "Vixen" during the latter part of the Mexican war in 1846-'8, participating in the capture of Tuspan, and was promoted to master, 28 June, 1853, and, lieutenant, 25 February, 1854. His first service during the civil war was in the steam frigate "Niagara" in 1861. He was commissioned lieu-tenant-commander, 16 July, 1862, and commander, 2 January, 1863, served in the North Atlantic blockading squadron in command of the steamer "Cambridge," and took part in the attacks on Fort Fisher in 1863-'5. He was commissioned captain, 22 April, 1870, and commanded the monitor "Dictator" in 1874-'5 during the threatened war with Spain on account of the " Virginius" affair, after which he was at the rendezvous at Boston in 1875-'6. He was made commodore, 25 April, 1877, and was commandant of the Boston navy-yard until his death. He was well known as a poet and musician, and was the author of several popular ballads, among which are "Absent Friends and you, Mary," "The Gale," " Manhattan's Dear Isle," "Ah, who can tel1 ? .... The Commodore's Return," "Death at Sea," "Coming Home," "All Hands, up Anchor," " The Old Relief," "Off Scilly's Isles," "Adeline," "Maurice," "The Norfolk Girls," "The Date of '39," and "The Last Voyage."