American Years Revisited records and shares the stories connected to 31 years of US Naval Base presence on the Holy Loch (from 1961 to 1992) and the impact this has had on the history and heritage of our community. We are working to uncover and record the wealth of information from Dunoon and across the Atlantic and to preserve and present this in ways that engage with local people, visitors and people online around the world.
This episode is a conversation with Gill and Jim Smith.
Gill worked at the base at Sandbank and was one of the people who turned the key in the door at the shore facilities once the Simon Lake had sailed away, back to the States.
Our conversation looks at the different roles Gill played at the base over the years, leading to those final moments.
We talk, too, with Jim about the variety of jobs he had in connection with the base.
Also in the room were Ann Campbell and Don Gable from the American Years teamand Alasdair Satchel, who also produced the episode.
11 Jul 2025
S2 Ep 4 - Steven T. Hammond
In this episode Steven T. Hammond talks with Alasdair Satchel, who also produced the episode, about his time as a submariner here on the Clyde.
Steven also talks about his life in Alabama before and after his naval service. This episode explores questions of identity and ethnicity onboard submarines and ashore in Scotland and in Navy culture at the time of Steven’s service.
Steven very kindly also gives us some social media contact details at the end of the episode for any old friends looking to get back in contact.
Thanks for listening, see you next time!
11 Jul 2025
S2 Ep 3 - The Gilettes
This episode is a conversation with Trudy, Whitney and Jaime members of the Gilette family who came to live in Scotland when Trudy’s late husband worked as a dentist at Site One.
The Gilettes talk with Alasdair Satchel, who produced this episode, through Jamie and Alasdair being old school friends.
We hear tales of arriving in Scotland, cultural experiences, the role of women in Navy culture and operations here on the Holy Loch and also the experience of what it was like to go back to America after spending some of your most formative years in Scotland.
Thanksfor listening!
6 Jun 2025
S2 Ep 3 The Gillettes
Alasdair Satchel interviews Shrudy Gillette, Whitney Gillette, and Jaime Gillette about their family's cultural experiences living in Scotland and returning to America.
29 May 2025
S2 Ep 2 Erick Geisler
Erick Geisler recounts his time in the Navy and at Site One in Scotland, discussing his career progression and the evolving nature of diversity at the base in an interview with Alasdair Satchel.
20 May 2025
Diversity in Dunoon Before the Arrival of the American Navy
The American Years Revisited team, including Kate Simpson, explores ethnic diversity in Dunoon before the American Navy's arrival and compares it to the diversity experienced by American participants Andrene, Margaret, Gerry, Don, Phil, and Ann in their home communities; Alasdair Satchel facilitates this discussion.
18 May 2022
Ep 08 - Audrey MacDougall and the Officers Wives Club
John Kelly interviews Audrey MacDougall about the experiences and social dynamics within the officers' wives club during the American Years in Dunoon.
17 May 2022
Ep 06 - A diver’s story - ex-American Navy diver Don Gabel talks about his life
Ex-American Navy diver Don Gabel recounts his experiences at the Holy Loch military base in Scotland, detailing his life in Hawaii, travels to Italy, and settling in Dunoon, offering insights into base operations; this is an interview.
17 May 2022
Ep 05 - Cuban Missile Crisis - Gerry’s Tale
Gerry Pursley recounts his experience on the Proteus during the Cuban Missile Crisis, detailing the ship's hasty departure and the challenges faced in the North Atlantic in this interview.
17 May 2022
Ep 10 - Euan Ross
Author Euan Ross recounts his childhood experiences growing up near the Holy Loch and living in the shadow of ships, in an interview with Kate Simpson.
10 May 2022
Ep 04 - A chat about old Dunoon and American accents
Linda, Andrene, and Margaret share memories of the early American presence in Argyll, discussing their experiences growing up in Dunoon and Innellan, in this interview episode.
10 May 2022
Ep 02 - How the Americans came to have a base on the Holy Loch on the West coast of Scotland, part 2
Local historian Margaret Hubbard recounts the historical events from 1945 to 1961 that led to the establishment of an American naval base on Scotland's Holy Loch in this interview.
10 May 2022
Ep 01 - How the Americans came to have a base in the Holy Loch on the West Coast of Scotland, part 1.
Local historian Margaret Hubbard recounts the events of World War II from 1939 to 1945 that led to the American base being established in Holy Loch, Scotland in this interview.
9 May 2022
Ep 03 - Gerry and Charlie
Retired American sailors Charlie Witherow and Gerry Pursley share their experiences and memories of arriving in Scotland, offering a glimpse into their lives as Dunoon residents in this interview episode.
9 May 2022
Ep 13 - Terry Sinsheimer
Terry Sinsheimer recounts his experiences on the USS Hunley AS-31, details his Navy career, and explains his involvement with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament in this interview.
9 May 2022
Ep 12 Phil Ambagtsheer
Phil Ambagtsheer recounts his experiences in the US submarine fleet, detailing the psychological challenges of isolation and the impact on personal relationships, in this interview.
10 Apr 2022
Ep 09 - Jan Moodie Raffino and Fred Raffino
Jan Moodie Raffino and Fred Raffino recount their experiences as one of the first Scots-American couples to marry after the arrival of the Proteus, detailing Fred's time as a young American sailor and Jan's life in Scotland and the United States in this interview.
10 Apr 2022
Ep 07 Isobel Lindsay - CND activist and member of the Council of 100
Isobel Lindsay, a peace activist, recounts her early involvement with the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament and protesting the American nuclear presence in Scotland during the 1960s in this interview.
10 Apr 2022
Ep 11 - Bob Reid and going to school in Dunoon during the American years
Bob Reid recounts his experiences attending school in Dunoon during the American presence, detailing the cultural exchange and protests against nuclear weapons in an interview.
Who has been a guest on American Years Revisited
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Shrudy Gillette
Whitney Gillette
Jaime Gillette
Erick Geisler
Andrene
Podcast Authority Score: 22 / 100
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