On January 15, 1919, a tank of molasses located in the North End of Boston exploded, with 2.5 million gallons of sweet, sticky molasses bearing down on the neighborhood like a gigantic wall at some 35 miles an hour.
Nothing could withstand the flood. People were crushed and houses crumbled as the flood swept over the area. 21 people died - the youngest 10, the oldest 78.
Here are some photos of the aftermath, including a photo of what the neighborhood looks like today.
Area residents claimed you could smell the molasses every summer for decades after.
This song commemorates the event, which led to legislation designed to increase safety in industrial construction.
Not all that is sweet is desirable.
Day 16 of the Ultimate Blog Challenge #blogboost
Interesting photos. Boston; where tea parties aren't always pleasant and molasses isn't sweet. I'd not heard of this disaster before you mentioned it yesterday.
ReplyDeleteI've only been to Boston once but there is so much history there. Maybe one day I can visit the site.
DeleteHoly moly....
ReplyDeleteBy the way, you might want to check the date. I don't think it happened yesterday...
Yikes. Thank you!
DeleteI’m familiar with this piece of history. Scary stuff. It’s tragedies like this, and the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory, that led to industrial safety regulations
ReplyDeleteI learned about that BEFORE I moved to the Boston Area, when an experiment with which I was involved (i.e., was considered to be the perpetrator) leaked some 10,000 gallons of saltwater from the 4th floor (where my lab was situated) down the building (drowning more than a few rabbits on a lower floor). So, I made it my business to tour this region of Boston when I arrived years later.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing, I had never heard of this event before today
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that the smell probably lingers a bit today.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry I didn't make it Monday to say a few words here, but I therapy & I was pooped & I really didn't feel all that well. The last few days were just about the same. Anyway, therapist said to hold off until after my shot on the 24th so we're going to pick up on therapy about 4 days after my shot & we'll start up again. Anyway, here I am. Can't say I ever heard this one, but it's definitely different, but what a story behind it! WOW! Thanks... that was really something... Anyway, thank you for your understanding my friend! HUGS....
ReplyDeleteI have never heard of this. That is definitely a tragedy and my first thought was about the smell also
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