#molasses flood

[onceuponatown]

The Great Molasses Flood was a disaster in Boston that occurred after a storage tank collapsed on January 15, 1919, sending more than two million gallons (eight million litres) of molasses flowing through the city’s North End. The deluge caused extensive damage and killed 21 people.

The tank was built in 1915 along Boston’s waterfront on Commercial Street, opposite Copp’s Hill. It was operated by the Purity Distilling Company, a subsidiary of United States Industrial Alcohol (USIA). At the time, industrial alcohol—then made from fermented molasses—was highly profitable; it was used to make munitions and other weaponry for World War I (1914–18). The tank’s immense size reflected the demand: it measured more than 50 feet (15 metres) high and 90 feet (27 metres) in diameter and could hold up to 2.5 million gallons (9.5 million litres) of molasses. Built quickly, the tank was problematic from the start, leaking and often emitting rumbling noises. Nevertheless, it continued to be used, and after the war’s conclusion USIA focused on producing grain alcohol, which was in high demand as prohibition neared passage.

At approximately 12:30 PM on January 15, 1919, the tank burst, releasing a deluge of “sweet, sticky death.” According to reports, the resulting wave of molasses was 15 to 40 feet (5 to 12 metres) high and some 160 feet (49 metres) wide. Traveling at approximately 35 miles (56 km) per hour, it destroyed several city blocks, leveling buildings and damaging automobiles. Although help arrived quickly, the hardening molasses made rescue efforts difficult. In the end, 21 people were killed, many of whom were suffocated by the syrup, and approximately 150 were injured. In addition, the Boston Post noted that a number of horses had “died like so many flies on sticky fly paper.” Clean-up efforts lasted for weeks, and Boston reportedly continued to smell like molasses for years afterward.

Numerous lawsuits were filed in the wake of the disaster. While victims alleged that the tank was not safe, USIA claimed that it had been sabotaged by “evilly disposed persons.” In 1925, however, it was ruled that the tank was unsound, and USIA was ordered to pay damages. In addition, the disaster resulted in stricter construction codes being adopted by states across the country.

For years, questions were raised over how such a seemingly benign substance could have caused so many deaths. In 2016, researchers released a study that placed the blame on cold temperatures. While warm weather would have caused the molasses to be less viscous, the winter temperatures made the syrup markedly thicker, severely impeding rescuers.

[beardedmrbean]

[lesbian-shakespeare]

Happy Boston Molassacre to all who celebrate!

[anteater-not-aardvark]

[dougielombax]

Today marks 105 years since the Boston Molasses Flood incident.

21 people were killed and 150 injured.

What a fucking shitshow!

A massacre.

Of sorts.

A molasses massacre.

A molassacre?

Idk.

8,700 cubic meters of the stuff! Flooding the place!

I recall this meme my sister sent me last year:

Credit to @memewhore on tumblr.

Feel free to reblog

[sncwonthebeach]

RUN DOROTHY RUTH!!

CHASE YOUR DREAMS !

[colourfuldefuser]

COLOURFUL RANTZ

happy molasses flood anniversary

ill draw something to celebrate this

[sweetmeatdale]

Because Tumblr likes the Molasses flood

[the-proofreader]

watcherinas would be crass of me to make Boston baked beans for dinner to celebrate the anniversary of the molasses flood

[swirly-beetle]

ur not cool unless you have a favorite niche historical tragedy

mines the great molasses flood of boston 1919

[beardedmrbean]

[tomstoast]

*logs into Tumblr in February 2023* wow this is shockingly similar to Boston 1919

[resourcefulsatan]

Does anyone else just fucking scream when they get bit by a snake? Like, come at me wolf, come at me bear, I will dodge the shit out of you boar, but one surprise snake bite and I've woken up the whole neighborhood.

[kiwibirb1]

Lol wait what the molasses flood was Jan 15th? Dang. I missed the anniversary