"Damn the torpedoes. Full steam ahead!" Though famous Union Admiral David Farragut wouldn't say these words for another two years (the Battle of Mobile Bay), it encompassed his general strategy for taking New Orleans from the Confederates, of which he was en route on this day in 1862. He had been given command of the Western Gulf Blockading Squadron and set his fleet of 24 wooden ships down the Mississippi River to reduce Confederate defenses. On April 24, he famously blew past Forts Jackson and St. Philip by crisscrossing the hulls of his ships with large metal chains, covering them in mud, and lashing them with trees so, from a distance, they would look like the opposite bank. It was just crazy enough to work. A few days later, New Orleans, the largest city in the south, surrendered.
It’s Tuesday, April 24
The Murray chapter of Amnesty International will hold its first meeting tomorrow night at the Calloway County Public Library. It begins at 5:30 in the front meeting room. The open community group aims to raise awareness of human rights issues that affect our community locally, regionally, and globally. For more information, call Jessica Evans at 873-9875.
Friday is the early deadline to enter the Paducah Photo Juried International Photography Exhibition. All artists working in digital or film photography may submit their work for consideration. Five prizes totaling $2000 will be awarded. The entry fee is $8 per photo before Friday, or $10 per photo after Friday. Find guidelines at paducahphoto.com.
The Christian County Middle School Choral Department offers a production of Alice in Wonderland tonight at the Christian County Schools Performing Arts Center. The show features the 8th grade music students and starts at 7. Admission is $5 at the door.
Find details about community events at wkms.org.
