Local historian, author, and Society member, H. Allan Gandy, spoke to a standing room only crowd in the Dona Benicia Room of the Benicia Library on Feb. 15. The attendees were eager to learn about the subject of the author’s latest book entitled Captain Matthew Turner: World-Class Shipbuilder. The author gave an overview of Turner’s long, remarkable career as our nation’s most prolific builder of sailing ships. When Turner had to close his shipyard in San Francisco, he chose to rebuild in the W 12th Street area of Benicia, where he built 184 ships between 1883 and 1904. Turner designed and sailed many different types of ships, including schooners, barkentines, steamers, and brigantines to suit the various types of cargo such as passengers, mail, California lumber, Tahitian fresh fruit, Hawaiian sugar, and Northern Pacific cod. His designs were often innovative and set speed records. He was also a founding member of the San Francisco Yacht Club and designed and built many successful racing yachts. After his business partner and dear friend Richard Rundle died, Turner married his widow Ashbeline. They were married for 28 years and he became a devoted family man to the two daughters and, later, a granddaughter. Thank you to the Benicia Public Library for collaborating with the Society on this fantastic event!