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The Great Molasses Flood of 1919
Overview
In this episode, we unravel the bizarre and deadly Boston catastrophe: when a massive molasses storage tank exploded in the North End, unleashing a tsunami of sticky syrup through city streets. We examine the science behind the disaster, the heroic response, the legal aftermath, and the sweeping safety reforms that followed.
Key Discussion Points
1. The Explosion Itself
• On January 15, 1919 around 12:30 p.m., a 50‑foot‑tall steel tank containing approximately 2.3 million US gallons of molasses burst on Commercial Street in Boston’s North End.
• The wave traveled at an estimated 35 mph, reached heights between 15 to 40 feet, and was approximately 160–165 feet wide, devastating city infrastructure and flattening buildings.
2. Human and Physical Impact
• The disaster resulted in 21 recorded deaths (ages ranging from 10 to 78) and injured approximately 150 others.
• The dense molasses, which quickly hardened in the cold, trapped victims and hampered rescue efforts.
3. Immediate Rescue Efforts
• Nearby cadets from the Massachusetts Nautical School were among the first responders, joined by police, Red Cross, Navy, and Army personnel. Makeshift hospitals were set up to tend to the injured as cleanup and rescue continued for days.
4. Causes & Contributing Factors
• According to engineering analyses and contemporaneous reports, contributing factors included poor construction, weak materials, lack of professional oversight, and temperature-induced pressure from mixing warm and cold molasses. The filler had been topped with additional warm molasses just days before the disaster.
• Purity Distilling Company (a subsidiary of USIA) was found liable in court after allegations of sabotage by anarchists were dismissed. The disaster led to one of Massachusetts’s earliest class-action lawsuits. USIA ultimately paid out $628,000 in damages.
5. Legacy and Reforms
• A public outcry spurred critical reforms: all large-scale construction now requires certified engineer or architect oversight, with legally binding seals and calculations on plans. These standards were adopted nationwide following the disaster.
• The area where the tank once stood is now Langone Park, marked by a memorial plaque and, during the 100th anniversary in 2019, ground-penetrating radar located the original tank’s foundation beneath the ballfield.
• For years, locals reported that on hot days the smell of molasses lingered in the North End—a haunting sensory echo of the disaster.
6. Further Reading & Cultural Reflections
• Stephen Puleo’s Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919 is the definitive account, blending technical detail with compelling narrative.
• Esteemed publications like Time, Wired, and Encyclopaedia Britannica provide accessible summaries and context for broader impact.
• Contemporary newspaper coverage (“molasses ‘slapped’ against buildings,” “sticky flood”) captures the surreal shock of the moment.
Suggested Learning Path
1. Read Dark Tide by Stephen Puleo for a thorough narrative and archival depth.
2. Explore historic photos from the Library of Congress or Boston Public Library collections for visual context.
3. Engage with the centennial commemorations, including archives, park memorial ceremonies, and public talks.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-on-the-margins/exclusive-content
View all episodes
By John WilliamsonOverview
In this episode, we unravel the bizarre and deadly Boston catastrophe: when a massive molasses storage tank exploded in the North End, unleashing a tsunami of sticky syrup through city streets. We examine the science behind the disaster, the heroic response, the legal aftermath, and the sweeping safety reforms that followed.
Key Discussion Points
1. The Explosion Itself
• On January 15, 1919 around 12:30 p.m., a 50‑foot‑tall steel tank containing approximately 2.3 million US gallons of molasses burst on Commercial Street in Boston’s North End.
• The wave traveled at an estimated 35 mph, reached heights between 15 to 40 feet, and was approximately 160–165 feet wide, devastating city infrastructure and flattening buildings.
2. Human and Physical Impact
• The disaster resulted in 21 recorded deaths (ages ranging from 10 to 78) and injured approximately 150 others.
• The dense molasses, which quickly hardened in the cold, trapped victims and hampered rescue efforts.
3. Immediate Rescue Efforts
• Nearby cadets from the Massachusetts Nautical School were among the first responders, joined by police, Red Cross, Navy, and Army personnel. Makeshift hospitals were set up to tend to the injured as cleanup and rescue continued for days.
4. Causes & Contributing Factors
• According to engineering analyses and contemporaneous reports, contributing factors included poor construction, weak materials, lack of professional oversight, and temperature-induced pressure from mixing warm and cold molasses. The filler had been topped with additional warm molasses just days before the disaster.
• Purity Distilling Company (a subsidiary of USIA) was found liable in court after allegations of sabotage by anarchists were dismissed. The disaster led to one of Massachusetts’s earliest class-action lawsuits. USIA ultimately paid out $628,000 in damages.
5. Legacy and Reforms
• A public outcry spurred critical reforms: all large-scale construction now requires certified engineer or architect oversight, with legally binding seals and calculations on plans. These standards were adopted nationwide following the disaster.
• The area where the tank once stood is now Langone Park, marked by a memorial plaque and, during the 100th anniversary in 2019, ground-penetrating radar located the original tank’s foundation beneath the ballfield.
• For years, locals reported that on hot days the smell of molasses lingered in the North End—a haunting sensory echo of the disaster.
6. Further Reading & Cultural Reflections
• Stephen Puleo’s Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919 is the definitive account, blending technical detail with compelling narrative.
• Esteemed publications like Time, Wired, and Encyclopaedia Britannica provide accessible summaries and context for broader impact.
• Contemporary newspaper coverage (“molasses ‘slapped’ against buildings,” “sticky flood”) captures the surreal shock of the moment.
Suggested Learning Path
1. Read Dark Tide by Stephen Puleo for a thorough narrative and archival depth.
2. Explore historic photos from the Library of Congress or Boston Public Library collections for visual context.
3. Engage with the centennial commemorations, including archives, park memorial ceremonies, and public talks.
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/history-on-the-margins/exclusive-content