“Leading up to the sculpture’s installation and subsequent dedication on September 29, 1979, McCloy worked as sculptor, plumber, handyman, and philanthropist.

"The sculpture was planned as a gift of the Isser family to the Public Library of New London in memory of the late Isser Gruskin, an attorney and prominent city resident. Isser’s widow, Mildred Gruskin, and his brother, attorney Samuel Gruskin, spoke at the dedication ceremony at the public library about the influence of libraries on Isser as an immigrant boy.

"McCloy, then 66, said the plan for the sculpture was that it wouldn’t cost him anything. He brought the sculpture from his home in Uncasville to the library, where it rests on the same New Hampshire granite as the stone exterior of the library.

"McCloy also says the sculpture has two main themes: New London’s commercial and literary history — whales and water represent the seafaring tradition intertwined with a book symbolizing education. The whale’s sharp teeth should not be mistaken for those of a shark."