HISTORY This Week The Great Boston Molasses Flood
Jan 13, 2020
On January 15, 1919, a wave of molasses flooded Boston's North End, causing chaos and nationwide attention. The podcast dives into the bizarre origins and catastrophic events surrounding this unique disaster. It features gripping firsthand accounts and highlights the groundbreaking class action lawsuit that followed. Furthermore, the discussion reveals how this incident reshaped construction standards, leading to greater accountability in engineering practices. It's a tale of history, community resilience, and lasting impacts.
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Molasses Meant For Rum, Not Candy
- The tank stored 2.3 million gallons of molasses intended for alcohol production as wartime industrial output shifted to rum.
- Prohibition pressures and rushed production helped motivate filling and use of the poorly built tank.
Instant Warning From A Patrolman
- Patrolman Frank McManus heard a rumbling and saw the tank disintegrate before his eyes.
- He called HQ: "Send all available rescue personnel...there's a wave of molasses coming down Commercial Street."
The Flood Was A Fast, Scouring Wave
- The molasses wave started about 35 feet high and moved at roughly 35 mph, scouring the waterfront.
- It obliterated buildings, overturned trains, and trapped firefighters under collapsed structures.
