January 15th is the 94th 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
Each Summer month at the Paul Revere House offers a mix of 18th century music, colonial trades, and stories of real people who lived in the time of Paul Revere. Come explore with your family, bring a friend to see our new Visitor Center, or enjoy a moment of the past by yourself. All events Read More…
At the time of its 100 year anniversary, a proposal has emerged to create a memorial to commemorate the 1919 Great Molasses Flood in Boston’s North End. Leland Mercer Alexander, a recent graduate of Wentworth Institute of Technology, presented his concept to the North End / Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) at their January 2019 meeting. Read More…
The North End Historical Society is having its final surge fundraiser to complete its 50 minute documentary on the history of the Italian North End. Our goal is to raise $25,000. If every North Ender gives just $10 we can easily make it. Please help out by visiting the Indiegogo fundraising site. It also has Read More…
2 Replies to “94th Anniversary of Great Molasses Flood in North End – January 15th”
I highly recommend Stephen Puleo’s “Dark Tide.” The depth of this tragedy and its aftermath are pretty stunning.
I have the book and I am looking forward to reading it!
I highly recommend Stephen Puleo’s “Dark Tide.” The depth of this tragedy and its aftermath are pretty stunning.
I have the book and I am looking forward to reading it!