On January 15, 1919, a molasses storage tank in Boston’s North End burst, releasing 2.3 million gallons of sticky liquid. The wave, 15 feet high and moving at 35 mph, tore through the streets, destroying buildings, uprooting the El train tracks, and trapping people in its path.
The disaster killed 21 people, injured 150, and crushed horses and wagons. Molasses coated the streets, making rescue efforts nearly impossible. Cleanup crews used saltwater hoses, but the sticky residue spread across Boston, lingering in public spaces and even on telephones.
Litigation revealed the tank’s poor construction and lack of inspections. The United States Industrial Alcohol Company paid settlements, but nothing could erase the catastrophe’s memory. For years, Boston retained the sweet, distinct smell of molasses, a poignant reminder of that tragic day.
Today, the tank’s site is a park, with few signs of the disaster. But for many, the Great Molasses Flood remains one of history’s strangest and most devastating industrial accidents.
In 1919, Boston faced a bizarre disaster: a giant molasses tank burst, unleashing 2.3 million gallons of sticky liquid. A 15-foot wave of molasses swept through streets at 35 mph, destroying buildings, trapping people, and leaving a sticky chaos in its wake.🧵1/4👇 pic.twitter.com/SI0L5iuGzx
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) January 6, 2025