TODAY IN ENERGY HISTORY

January 15, 2025

MOLASSES FLOOD TAKES BOSTON!

Fiery hot molasses floods the streets of Boston on January 15, 1919, killing 21 people and injuring scores of others. The molasses burst from a huge tank at the United States Industrial Alcohol Company building in the heart of the city.

At the time, molasses was used to create ethanol, rum, and munitions. These were used locally and in WWI efforts.

The unfortunate cause of this disaster was related to lack of regulatory stipulations. When the 50-foot tank ruptured, it sent a 2.3 million gallon wave of molasses speeding 35 MPH down the streets of Boston. Clean up was an immense effort, only moving quickly after the discovery that salt water would help dissolve the molasses.

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