How big did you say that hurricane was?

Katrina was immense. I know that from the news reports and pictures I’ve seen. However, the reality of the storm is being driven home each day we are here. Today, Wednesday was a day of cultural activities. We drove nearly 150 miles east to Mobile, Alabama this morning. New Orleans bore the brunt of the storm, with the eye moving ashore just south of the city. However, Mobile also sustained significant damage. The USS Alabama, for example, weighs 70 million pounds. After Katrina hit, the battleship was found listing 60⁰, having been pushed by the force of the storm surge through Mobile Bay. Imagine the force of the storm 150 miles from its center.

The next stop was the former Confederate Fort at the one side of the mouth of Mobile Bay that was successfully attacked by Union forces early in the war. It was at this battle that Admiral James Farragaut is said to have exclaimed: “Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!” Torpedoes, at the time, was the name given to what we call mines today.

We ended the day in a relaxing manner at a beach not far from the bay. The temperature was in the lower 60s, and the water was cool, but some of the students braved the conditions and tried the water. Others played Frisbee, tossed the lacrosse ball, built sand castles, flew kites or took a walk.

The time is flying by. I’ve certainly learned a great deal from this experience. – Dick Bennett