Carlisle Blues

Not being a native to Boston I am always on the look out for some interesting tidbit or event that will give me an unsderstanding as to why things are the way they are here.

I came across this event:

The Great Molasses Flood and the Great Boston Molasses Tragedy, occurred on January 15, 1919, in the North End neighborhood of Boston, Massachusetts in the United States. A large molasses storage tank burst, and a wave of molasses rushed through the streets at an estimated 35 mph (56 km/h), killing 21 and injuring 150. The event has entered local folklore, and residents claim that on hot summer days, the area still smells of molasses.

With a diameter of 90 feet and 50 feet high, the iron tank could hold about 2½ million gallons of molasses, ready to be distilled into rum or industrial alcohol.

Whatever caused the explosion, the tank gave out a dull roar, and then its two sides flew outward with a mighty blast. One huge piece knocked out the support of an elevated railway, buckling the tracks. An engineer stopped his train just in time to avoid an even worse disaster. Fragments of metal landed 200 feet away.

Besides sending shrapnel whizzing through the air, the explosion flattened people, horses and buildings with a huge shockwave. As some tried to get to their feet, the sudden vacuum where the tank once was created a reverse shockwave, sucking air in and knocking people, animals and vehicles around once more, and shaking homes off their foundations.
That was just the first few seconds. The real terror was about to begin.
The tank had been filled to near capacity, and 2.3 million gallons of thick, heavy, odorous molasses formed a sticky tsunami that started at 25 or 30 feet high and coursed through the streets at 35 mph. Victims couldn't outrun it. It knocked them into buildings and other obstacles, it swept them off their feet, and it pulled them under to drown in a viscous, suffocating, brown death.

Approximately 150 were injured; 21 people and several horses were killed — some were crushed and drowned by the molasses. The wounded included people, horses, and dogs; coughing fits became one of the most common ailments after the initial blast.

While I find this interesting what is more important is that is where I get my pastries Mike's Bake Shop and some chow...

Here are some pics.





Boston's 1919 molasses-tank explosion turned this elevated train structure into a twisted mass of metal.

Edgewaters

I watched a documentary on this one on "Disasters of the Century" some time ago ... it seems to be available online here:

http://factualtv.com/documentary/Dis...Molasses-Flood

I thought it was a joke when I saw it on the TV listings ... turns out it was serious stuff.

skizzerflake

If I didn't know that it was true, I'd think it was made up for a Saturday Night Live skit. I can't even imagine a couple million gallons of molasses. I think I have about an inch deep in the bottle in my kitchen and it's lasted for the past 6 months.

JoeGlidden

I recall seeing this on television as well. The tank was put together with substandard materials and labor to make it as cheap to assemble as possible. I think they said half the amount of rivets that should have been used were used and by filling to full capacity taxed its limits to the breaking point.

Very interesting, not to mention strange, history. I like!

skizzerflake

Time after time, in this country, substandard construction and materials and the rush to profit lead to disaster. Was BP ever in the molasses business?

Cicero

I learned of the event in grade school and did a short post on it.

http://historum.com/showthread.php?p...ses#post161707

Bobby

While I find this interesting what is more important is that is where I get my pastries Mike's Bake Shop and some chow...

Ironic, my colleague at work just brought me in a book on this disaster, said he thought I might find it interesting. But more important you cannot consider yourself a true Bostonian if you frequent Mike's, that is for the tourists. Now Bova's or Modern Pastry OK, but not Mike's!

Carlisle Blues

The Modern versus Mike's debate...I have had both and hmmm I dunno...but Mike's supports the military in it;'s own way... so I support Mike's ..

I have to try Bova's never been there.

Bobby

Bova's is right across the street from the Old NOrth Church...calzones to die for. Didn't know Mike's supported the military, maybe their pastry is better . Of course I can't have a North End conversation with mentioning Reginas, the best pizza under the sun. Are you military?

Carlisle Blues

Regina's for white pizza...then to Mike's usually.

Now Bova's then to Mike's and Modern for a taste test....