Posted onAuthorMatt ContiComments Off on North End Molasses Flood Anniversary
January 15th is the anniversary of the Great Molasses Flood. Twenty one people were killed and another 150 injured on Commercial Street in Boston’s North End when a tank of molasses ruptured and exploded on January 15, 1919. Click images for slideshow.
The Boston Post front page news coverage (11 dead, 50 hurt) of the Molasses Disaster, January 16, 1919 (Courtesy Boston Public Library)
Twisted elevated structure on Atlantic Avenue damaged in Molasses Disaster – Leslie Jones copyright – Courtesy of Boston Public Library
Wreckage under the elevated where many express trucks parked, Molasses Disaster – Leslie Jones copyright – Courtesy of Boston Public Library
Panorama of the Molasses Disaster site – Globe Newspaper – Courtesy of Boston Public Library
Eleven dead, more than sixty injured, buildings and L tracks wrecked by explosion of big molasses tank [Boston Herald, January 16, 1919] – Courtesy of Boston Public LIbrary
Section of tank after Molasses Disaster explosion. 1:00pm – Leslie Jones copyright – Courtesy of Boston Public Library
Molasses tank explosion injures 50 and kills 11 [Boston Daily Globe, January 16, 1919] Courtesy of Boston Public Library
Tank cut into sections with acetylene torch in search of bodies underneath Molasses Disaster – Leslie Jones copyright – Courtesy of Boston Public Library
Firemen standing in thick molasses after the disaster; Leslie Jones Copyright (1886-1967 photographer) Courtesy of the Boston Public Library
A huge wave of the syrupy brown liquid moved down Commercial Street at a speed of 35 mph over two blocks destroying all in its path. In today’s dollars, the property damage is estimated at over $100 million. Purity Distilling Company built the tank, 50 feet high and 90 feet wide, in the densely populated neighborhood of mostly Italian immigrants at the time.
The disaster brought nationwide attention to the lack of industrial safety standards. Complaints of cracks and leaks in the tank were literally covered with brown paint by the company that initially said anarchists blew up the tank. Later, a lengthy class action lawsuit brought forward damaging evidence resulting in a settlement of $600,000 (~$11 million in today’s dollars). Although Purity used the molasses for industrial alcohol, some hypothesize that the tank was overfilled because of the the prohibition threat for possible use later to distill rum. Neighborhood folklore has it that you can smell the ill-sweet remains in the summer’s hottest weather. (Sources: Wikipedia, Mass Moments, Wired)
Great Molasses Flood – Videos and Media Collection
John Tosi was born and raised in the Italian section of Roxbury, MA, but spent his adult years living in the North End. In this video he talks about his childhood and the loss of industry in the North End and South Boston. View more at NorthEndStories.com, a digital narrative project.
[responsive_youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=CoR2E9VaIak] Dr. Augusto Ferraiuolo discussed his book, Religious Festive Practices in Boston’s North End, to a community audience at an event sponsored by the North End Historical Society. Ferraiulo is a native of Italy and a visiting lecturer at Boston University, Department of Anthropology. The lecture was held on April 26, 2012 at the Read More…
A large citywide crowd came out on Memorial Day 2013 for a new tradition at the North End Waterfront’s Christopher Columbus Park, honoring America’s soldiers that have paid the ultimate price. Officially known as “Remembrance 2013: A Musical Tribute to Our Fallen Heroes,” the concert replaces a Memorial Day observance previously held at McGillivray Park Read More…
