Niña) which served as the tender and exploratory vanguard of a fleet of seven larger sealers. During an ocean voyage covering about , Palmer on November 17, 1820, sighted the Antarctic Peninsula, and area that came to be called Palmer Land. Palmer's role in the discovery is further commemorated in the name of the American research station, Palmer Station. In his later years Palmer engaged in the design of faster sailing vessels, designing a prototypical clipper ship in 1843 while on a trading journey to China. Built the following year, the Houqua made the journey from New York City to Canton, China in a record 95 days. Gallery See also List of National Historic Landmarks in Connecticut National Register of Historic Places listings in New London County, Connecticut References External links Welcome to the Captain Palmer House, at The Stonington Historical Society Houses in Stonington, Connecticut National Historic Landmarks in Connecticut Museums in New London County, Connecticut Historic house museums in Connecticut Houses completed in 1852 Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Connecticut Historical society museums in Connecticut National Register of Historic Places in New London County, Connecticut 1852 establishments in Connecticut