Begun a new file for Russell Belden – Capt’s Clerk.  Prompted by information that just came across my desk when I really had nothing for him all this time. If YOU have anything on him, do contact me!

With a heavy heart I have only recently learned of the passing of Rick Gildersleeve – descendant of Philip Gildersleeve (foreman for the building of the CONNECTICUT).  Rick and I corresponded on numerous occasions and we would constantly try to make plans to meet up again for lunch but life kept interrupting.  I was honoured to attend his lecture on the Gildersleeve shipbuilding era which he gave for the Portland Hist. Soc. but held in the town library – see the relevant post below.  Here is the link to his obituary.  So is cut short another link to our common past…