The Great Molasses Flood: Boston's Sticky Disaster

Imagine a tidal wave, but instead of water, it’s thick, sticky molasses rushing through city streets.

On January 15, 1919, a massive storage tank in Boston’s North End exploded, unleashing over two million gallons

of molasses.

The wave moved at 35 miles per hour, flattening buildings, overturning vehicles, and trapping everything in its path

under a sugary mess.

The flood was so powerful that it knocked a train off its tracks and destroyed entire blocks.

People and horses were caught in the syrupy torrent, struggling to escape.

Rescuers described the scene as surreal—like quicksand, but sweet.

The air was thick with the smell of molasses, and the city was left in shock at the

sheer force of the disaster.

Why did this happen?

The tank was poorly constructed and filled beyond its capacity during a warm winter, causing the metal to

crack.

When it burst, the cold air made the molasses even thicker, trapping victims.

The disaster killed 21 people and injured 150, leaving Boston’s streets coated in a sticky layer that took

months to clean up.

The Great Molasses Flood left a lasting mark on Boston.

Laws changed, requiring stricter building inspections and safety standards.

Even decades later, locals claimed they could still smell molasses on hot days.

This bizarre tragedy is a reminder that sometimes, the most unexpected things can reshape a city’s history—and leave

a sweet, sticky legacy behind.