The CRUX: True Survival Stories

The Great Molasses Flood of 1919: A Sticky Historical Disaster | E126


Listen Later

In this weeks episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh unravel one of history’s most unusual disasters—the Great Molasses Flood of 1919. Sparked by listener Amy from Stockton Springs, Maine, this episode dives into the bizarre yet tragic tale also known as the Boston Molasses Disaster. When a massive steel storage tank collapsed, it sent a towering wave of molasses flooding through Boston’s North End, killing 21 people and injuring over 150.

Julie and Kaycee explore the factors that led to the disaster, the devastating aftermath, and the extraordinary personal survival stories that emerged. From firsthand accounts to the legal battles that followed, this episode highlights the lasting impact of the event and the crucial lessons on industrial safety and corporate accountability. Tune in as the hosts also share listener messages and encourage fans to continue suggesting stories that deserve a spotlight.

Episode Breakdown:

  • 00:00 – Welcome and Host Introductions
  • 00:20 – Listener Shout-out and Story Setup
  • 00:58 – Unfolding the Great Molasses Flood of 1919
  • 02:43 – The Infamous Molasses Tank: A Disaster Waiting to Happen
  • 06:39 – The Moment of Collapse: A Molasses Tsunami
  • 10:02 – Chaos in the Aftermath: Eyewitness Accounts
  • 12:22 – A Wave of Destruction: The Molasses’ Initial Impact
  • 12:47Survivor Spotlight: Martin Cloherty’s Narrow Escape
  • 14:35Survivor Spotlight: Frank P. Smith’s Quick Thinking
  • 16:51Survivor Spotlight: Anthony Distasio’s Harrowing Experience
  • 17:47 – The Herculean Cleanup Effort
  • 19:58 – Legal Ramifications and the Fight for Accountability
  • 24:12 – Remembering the Great Molasses Flood: Its Legacy
  • 24:50 – Final Thoughts and Call to Action for Listeners
  • Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/

    Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/


    Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    The CRUX: True Survival StoriesBy Kaycee McIntosh, Julie Henningsen, Bleav

    • 3.9
    • 3.9
    • 3.9
    • 3.9
    • 3.9

    3.9

    416 ratings


    More shows like The CRUX: True Survival Stories

    View all
    This Is Actually Happening by Wondery

    This Is Actually Happening

    10,422 Listeners

    How I Survived by Pacific Podcast Network

    How I Survived

    823 Listeners

    What Was That Like - True Stories. Real People. by Scott Johnson & Glassbox Media.

    What Was That Like - True Stories. Real People.

    1,919 Listeners

    American Scandal by Wondery

    American Scandal

    19,053 Listeners

    Locations Unknown by Locations Unknown

    Locations Unknown

    855 Listeners

    Not Today by Not Today

    Not Today

    993 Listeners

    Against The Odds by Wondery

    Against The Odds

    7,766 Listeners

    Detectives Don't Sleep by NOISER

    Detectives Don't Sleep

    468 Listeners

    Real Survival Stories by NOISER

    Real Survival Stories

    1,286 Listeners

    Marooned: Tales of the Catastrophically Lost by Aaron Habel & Jack Luna

    Marooned: Tales of the Catastrophically Lost

    751 Listeners

    What It Was Like by Superreal

    What It Was Like

    398 Listeners

    Extreme by BBC

    Extreme

    107 Listeners

    REDACTED: Declassified Mysteries with Luke Lamana by Wondery | Ballen Studios

    REDACTED: Declassified Mysteries with Luke Lamana

    872 Listeners

    Titanic: Ship of Dreams by NOISER

    Titanic: Ship of Dreams

    959 Listeners

    Pipeline by Daily Mail

    Pipeline

    469 Listeners