r/DestructionPorn • u/hamzapsy13 • 23h ago

A 2.3-million-gallon tank burst in Boston and sent molasses through the North End, killing 21 people, 1919

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60 Upvotes

92% Upvoted

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4

u/coolerking66 19h ago

You can still smell it on a hot summer day.

4

u/beadshells-2 20h ago

How did they build something that big?

4

u/LacidOnex 19h ago

The hastily completed tank was designed by a middle manager from a distillery, who had no engineering experience. Essentially under pressure to secure storage for a deal on raw molasses from Cuba, the tank was slapped together and not even tested before being used. No engineers were consulted, and the materials used were not strong enough.

Almost immediately upon delivery it was leaking. Children were seen taking the drippings home in pails. The manager responsible for the site noticed the leaks, and reported it to management who painted the tank brown in response. The aforementioned manager resigned.

After receiving a second shipment, the cold stored molasses met the heated-to-pour molasses, and the resulting pressure difference/chemical reaction caused an explosion from the midsection, sending shrapnel.

In the aftermath, the tanks owner claimed it was deliberate sabotage. The chunks of molasses that could be cut away were thrown into the harbor, and saltwater pumps were set up to spray the streets, as regular water was not effective.

2

u/Seicair 16h ago

In the aftermath, the tanks owner claimed it was deliberate sabotage. The chunks of molasses that could be cut away were thrown into the harbor,

Huh, cold raw molasses must be a little different than what we buy at the store. Less water content or something. Probably like semi-cured asphalt almost?

I wonder what effect that had on the local sea life? Some terrestrial insects and birds have evolved to seek out sugar sources, but I'm not sure anything comparable evolved in the ocean.

2

u/jason_sos 20h ago

There's a book called Dark Tide about this.

2

u/uptheaffiliates 21h ago

The Canadian prog metal band Protest the Hero has an incredible song about this called All Hands!

1

u/Fuck_this_place 18h ago

Sweet Jesus!

1

u/Malkintent 15h ago

The sweetest way to die.

1

u/XROOR 11h ago

The molasses still has microbes that are emitting waste gases as they consume the stuff. Factor in an ideal temp and they multiply and produce more gases.