Catastrophic Molasses Spill: A Sticky Disaster in History

A bizarre and lethal disaster occurred on January 15, 1919, in the Great Molasses Flood event. A massive molasses storage tank owned by Purity Distilling Company was in the North End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts. The tank, containing around 2.3 million gallons (approximately 8.7 million liters) of molasses, ruptured and caused a flood throughout Boston's streets at an estimated speed of 35 mph (56 km/h). This led to the death of twenty-one people, with more than a hundred being severely injured. It also significantly harmed the surrounding infrastructure, causing approximately $100 million in damage when adjusted for inflation today.

What caused this curious incident? A combination of factors led to this tragedy. First, it was winter, and fermentation had likely raised the internal pressure due to rising temperatures inside the stored molasses used for regular rum production. Second, poor maintenance coupled with rudimentary safety measures put the aging tank under stress, and unable to contain its load, it exploded, sending a wave of thick syrup into the neighboring regions.

Even a century after that incident, residents claim they can still get the faint smell of molasses on hot summer days.

Historian Stephen Puleo has documented this unusual event in his book 'Dark Tide: The Great Molasses Flood of 1919.'(1) It is also referenced online by prominent sources like History.com.(2)

Citations:
(1)Puleo, Stephen. Dark Tide: The Great Molasses Flood of 1919 (Beacon Press, reprint edition; February 15th, 2004).
(2)'Boston's Great Molasses Flood of 1919,' History.com Editors,