History Daily 1295: The Boston Molasses Disaster
Jan 15, 2026
On January 15, 1919, Boston experienced a bizarre disaster when a molasses storage tank burst, unleashing a deadly wave. The chaos was personal for Martin Cloherty, who heroically rescued his sister from the deluge. The aftermath saw a shocking death toll and widespread damage. Investigations revealed shoddy construction and negligence by the company involved. Journalists played a crucial role in exposing these failures, leading to a significant civil lawsuit. Today, the scent of molasses still lingers in the city, a reminder of this sticky tragedy.
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Survivor Pulled Sister From The Flood
- Martin Cloherty woke into a collapsing North End and was swept down the street in chest-deep molasses.
- He pulled his sister from the sticky flood but later learned his mother was crushed under her home.
Rushed Construction Doomed The Tank
- The tank leaked and groaned from its first fill due to rushed, underqualified construction.
- U.S. Industrial Alcohol prioritized deadlines and profits over proper testing and safety.
Disaster Spread Molasses Across The City
- The molasses wave destroyed buildings, infrastructure, and trapped people and animals in sticky sludge.
- Cleanup involved hacking at hardened syrup and pumping seawater to loosen the congealed mess.