#molasses flood
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The Great Molasses Flood was a disaster in Boston that occurred after a storage tank collapsed on January 15, 1919, sending more than two million gallons (eight million litres) of molasses flowing through the city’s North End. The deluge caused extensive damage and killed 21 people.
The tank was built in 1915 along Boston’s waterfront on Commercial Street, opposite Copp’s Hill. It was operated by the Purity Distilling Company, a subsidiary of United States Industrial Alcohol (USIA). At the time, industrial alcohol—then made from fermented molasses—was highly profitable; it was used to make munitions and other weaponry for World War I (1914–18). The tank’s immense size reflected the demand: it measured more than 50 feet (15 metres) high and 90 feet (27 metres) in diameter and could hold up to 2.5 million gallons (9.5 million litres) of molasses. Built quickly, the tank was problematic from the start, leaking and often emitting rumbling noises. Nevertheless, it continued to be used, and after the war’s conclusion USIA focused on producing grain alcohol, which was in high demand as prohibition neared passage.
At approximately 12:30 PM on January 15, 1919, the tank burst, releasing a deluge of “sweet, sticky death.” According to reports, the resulting wave of molasses was 15 to 40 feet (5 to 12 metres) high and some 160 feet (49 metres) wide. Traveling at approximately 35 miles (56 km) per hour, it destroyed several city blocks, leveling buildings and damaging automobiles. Although help arrived quickly, the hardening molasses made rescue efforts difficult. In the end, 21 people were killed, many of whom were suffocated by the syrup, and approximately 150 were injured. In addition, the Boston Post noted that a number of horses had “died like so many flies on sticky fly paper.” Clean-up efforts lasted for weeks, and Boston reportedly continued to smell like molasses for years afterward.
Numerous lawsuits were filed in the wake of the disaster. While victims alleged that the tank was not safe, USIA claimed that it had been sabotaged by “evilly disposed persons.” In 1925, however, it was ruled that the tank was unsound, and USIA was ordered to pay damages. In addition, the disaster resulted in stricter construction codes being adopted by states across the country.
For years, questions were raised over how such a seemingly benign substance could have caused so many deaths. In 2016, researchers released a study that placed the blame on cold temperatures. While warm weather would have caused the molasses to be less viscous, the winter temperatures made the syrup markedly thicker, severely impeding rescuers.
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Happy Boston Molassacre to all who celebrate!
#Boston molasses flood#molasses flood#molassacre#fme: friggin’ molasses everywhere#Youtube#puppet history
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The triplets talking about the Boston Molasses flood reminded me of when me and my friend found out about it and suddenly it became an inside joke of ours and also reminded me of when I DM’ed the triplets asking if they knew about it 💀
#Sturniolo triplets#molasses flood#boston massachusetts#Chris Sturniolo#Nick Sturniolo#Matt Sturniolo#maisie rambles :)
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Today marks 105 years since the Boston Molasses Flood incident.
21 people were killed and 150 injured.
What a fucking shitshow!
A massacre.
Of sorts.
A molasses massacre.
A molassacre?
Idk.
8,700 cubic meters of the stuff! Flooding the place!
I recall this meme my sister sent me last year:
Credit to @memewhore on tumblr.
Feel free to reblog
#dougie rambles#personal stuff#history#anniversary#american history#Boston#massachusetts#boston massachusetts#molasses#molasses flood#flood#flooding#1919#massacre#disaster#disasters#environmental disasters#food processing#engineering failure#feel free to reblog#north end#cylinder stress#fucking hell#shitshow#not my meme#impact font#doge#catastrophe#new england#northeastern USA
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RUN DOROTHY RUTH!!
CHASE YOUR DREAMS !
#chase your horse husband#im rooting for you bby#welcome to puppet history#puppet university#puppet history lore#puppet history#ryan and shane#ryan bergara#shane madej#IM SO INVESTED ACTUALLY#Molasses Flood#ghoul boys#locked away in the ghost files#the ghoul boys#ghost files#too many spirits#dish granted#steven lim#we are watcher#watcher fandom#watcher network#all hail the watcher#watcher entertainment
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COLOURFUL RANTZ
happy molasses flood anniversary
ill draw something to celebrate this
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Because Tumblr likes the Molasses flood
#Boston molasses flood#molasses flood#molasses#history#american history#history meme#history memes#prohibition
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watcherinas would be crass of me to make Boston baked beans for dinner to celebrate the anniversary of the molasses flood
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*logs into Tumblr in February 2023* wow this is shockingly similar to Boston 1919
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Boston, 1919 (colorized)
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Boston Molasses Flood Marker November 4, 2023 Boston, Massachusetts
#massachusetts#boston#boston molasses flood#molasses flood#historic marker#interesting history#our adventures
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