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The Great Molasses Flood of 1919: A Sticky Disaster

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The Great Molasses Flood of 1919: A Sticky Disaster

Dramatic illustration of molasses wave flooding Boston streets in 1919 with people and buildings swept away


Date/Context: January 15, 1919 — Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Introduction: When Sweetness Turned Deadly

In the early afternoon of January 15, 1919, Boston’s North End was gripped by an unimaginable catastrophe. What began as a crisp winter day turned into a nightmare when a massive storage tank of molasses ruptured, unleashing a wave of thick, brown syrup that rushed through the streets with deadly force. This unusual disaster would be etched into Boston’s history as The Great Molasses Flood — a tragedy that claimed lives, destroyed property, and became one of the most bizarre industrial accidents in American history.

Boston’s North End in 1919: A Busy Urban Hub

The North End of Boston was a bustling neighborhood in the early 20th century, known for its working-class residents, narrow streets, and proximity to the waterfront. Italian immigrants made up much of the population, alongside Irish and Portuguese communities.

This dense, vibrant district was home to small shops, stables, tenements, and factories. But on Commercial Street stood a towering industrial structure that few could ignore — a massive, steel storage tank filled with molasses.

Why Molasses Mattered

To modern readers, molasses may seem like a humble baking ingredient, but in 1919 it was big business. Molasses was imported primarily from the Caribbean and used in several industries:

  • Alcohol production: Fermented molasses was key for making rum and industrial alcohol.
  • Sweetener: Before refined white sugar was widely available, molasses was an important sweetener.
  • Munitions: During World War I, industrial alcohol made from molasses was used in explosives production.

The Purity Distilling Company, a subsidiary of United States Industrial Alcohol (USIA), stored vast quantities of molasses in its North End tank before transporting it to refineries.

The Storage Tank: An Accident Waiting to Happen

The molasses tank on Commercial Street was enormous — 50 feet tall and 90 feet in diameter, holding over 2.3 million gallons of the sticky syrup. Constructed in 1915, it was poorly designed and hastily built.

Employees and local residents had long complained about the tank leaking molasses, a sign of structural weakness. In fact, neighborhood children would collect molasses drips in cups for a sweet treat. Rather than fixing the problem, company officials simply painted the tank brown to hide the leaks.

The Day of the Disaster

On January 15, 1919, the temperature in Boston was unusually mild for winter, reaching about 40°F (4°C) after a recent cold spell. Inside the tank, the molasses — which had been delivered warm from the Caribbean — began to ferment and expand.

At around 12:40 PM, a deafening roar echoed through the North End as the tank suddenly burst. Witnesses described hearing a sound like machine-gun fire as the steel rivets popped loose.

A Deadly Wave of Syrup

The rupture unleashed a dark, churning wave of molasses estimated at 25 feet high and moving at 35 miles per hour. The sticky mass tore through the streets with incredible force, sweeping away horses, wagons, buildings, and people.

Eyewitness accounts told of the chaos:

  • Horses drowned, trapped in the thick syrup.
  • Adults and children were knocked off their feet and smothered.
  • Wooden buildings splintered under the wave’s pressure.

The sheer density of molasses — far thicker than water — made escape nearly impossible. Survivors described the feeling of being trapped in quicksand, unable to move or breathe.

The Toll: Lives Lost and Damage Done

The disaster claimed 21 lives and injured around 150 people. Many victims died from suffocation, while others suffered crush injuries from collapsing structures. The dead ranged from workers and residents to unsuspecting passersby.

The aftermath was a scene of destruction:

  • Buildings along Commercial Street were obliterated.
  • The elevated train tracks were twisted and displaced.
  • The firehouse was pushed off its foundation.

Cleanup was a monumental task. Crews used sand, seawater, and even pumps to wash molasses into Boston Harbor, which reportedly stayed brown until summer.

The Investigation: Who Was to Blame?

Public outrage was swift. The sheer scale of the disaster and the apparent neglect of safety raised questions about corporate responsibility.

The Massachusetts Superior Court launched a lengthy investigation. Evidence revealed:

  • The tank was poorly constructed and never properly tested.
  • Rivets and steel used were too thin and brittle for the load.
  • Company officials ignored warnings from workers and residents.

The court ultimately held United States Industrial Alcohol responsible, ruling that the disaster was due to negligence. In 1925, the company agreed to pay $628,000 in damages — roughly $9 million in today’s money — to victims and their families.

A Neighborhood Forever Changed

The Great Molasses Flood left deep scars in Boston’s North End, both physical and emotional. Survivors carried memories of the tragedy for the rest of their lives, and for years afterward, the faint smell of molasses lingered in the area.

The disaster also changed industrial safety regulations in the United States. Companies were now required to have licensed engineers review and approve construction plans for large storage tanks and industrial structures.

Lessons from the Flood

The Great Molasses Flood is often remembered with a degree of dark humor because of its unusual nature. Yet, beneath the sticky surface lies a serious lesson about corporate responsibility, engineering standards, and public safety.

It serves as a reminder that:

  • Ignoring early warning signs can lead to catastrophe.
  • Industrial infrastructure must be rigorously tested and maintained.
  • The cost of negligence is measured not just in money, but in human lives.

Timeline of Events

  • 1915: Molasses tank constructed by Purity Distilling Company.
  • 1915–1919: Residents complain about leaks; no repairs made.
  • January 12, 1919: Fresh shipment of warm molasses delivered.
  • January 15, 1919, 12:40 PM: Tank bursts, unleashing deadly wave.
  • 1925: Company ordered to pay damages after court ruling.

The Great Molasses Flood in Popular Culture

The event has appeared in books, documentaries, and even songs. While it may sound like a bizarre footnote in history, it remains an important case study for engineers and safety regulators worldwide.

In Boston, the disaster is still part of local lore, with historical tours and plaques marking the site. Every January, history enthusiasts reflect on the tragedy — a moment when sweetness turned into sorrow.

Key Historical Characters Involved

  • Arthur P. Jell – Manager of the Purity Distilling Company, responsible for the tank’s construction and maintenance.
  • Victims and residents – Everyday people whose lives were disrupted or destroyed by corporate negligence.

References

  1. Puleo, Stephen. Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919. Beacon Press, 2004.
  2. Boston Public Library Archives – Molasses Flood Photographs and Testimonies.
  3. Massachusetts Historical Society – Industrial Safety Regulation Records, 1919–1925.

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    The Great Molasses Flood of 1919: A Sticky Disaster The Great Molasses Flood of 1919: A Sticky Disaster Reviewed by Sagar B on June 10, 2025 Rating: 5

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