The Boston Molasses Disaster of 1919

Summary

The Great Boston Molasses Disaster of 1919 occurred when a poorly constructed molasses tank burst, releasing 2.3 million gallons of molasses in a 25-foot wave that crashed through the streets. Despite being a symbol of corporate negligence, the disaster resulted in 21 deaths and hundreds of injuries. Investigations revealed major structural flaws, leading to a significant lawsuit. The case sparked changes in engineering regulations and corporate accountability, marking a pivotal moment in industrial safety history. The event remains one of Boston’s most tragic and bizarre accidents.

Takeaways

• 😀 In 1914, molasses was in high demand as a cheap sweetener, and its byproducts were used in rum and explosives for World War I.
• 😀 The Purity Distilling Company stored millions of gallons of molasses in a massive, poorly constructed tank in Boston's North End.
• 😀 The tank was built hastily in 1915 by Arthur P. Jell, who had no experience in construction or safety regulations, leading to numerous design flaws.
• 😀 The molasses tank, costing $30,000, was one of Boston’s largest storage containers, capable of holding 2.5 million gallons.
• 😀 The tank leaked regularly, and despite employee warnings about structural issues, the company only made superficial repairs like recaulkings and repainting.
• 😀 On January 15, 1919, after a shipment of 600,000 gallons of molasses filled the tank, a warm weather thaw caused the molasses to ferment, building pressure.
• 😀 The pressure caused the tank to collapse, releasing 2.3 million gallons of molasses in a 25-foot wave traveling 35 miles per hour.
• 😀 The molasses flood killed 21 people and injured 150 others. Many of the victims were trapped in the thick molasses, making rescue efforts difficult.
• 😀 Rescue operations involved military personnel, police, firemen, and civilians. The molasses was so sticky that rescuers struggled to locate and identify survivors.
• 😀 In the aftermath, an investigation revealed that the tank's structural failure was the primary cause of the disaster, and the company was held liable for manslaughter.
• 😀 The disaster led to one of the largest class-action lawsuits in U.S. history, which ultimately resulted in USIA being fined $300,000 and new safety regulations being enacted.

Q & A

What was the primary use of molasses in 1914?

In 1914, molasses was primarily used as a sweetener, being much cheaper than granulated white sugar. It could also be refined into rum and industrial alcohol, the latter of which was used in the production of explosives needed during World War I.

What was the role of the Purity Distilling Company in the Boston molasses disaster?

The Purity Distilling Company, a subsidiary of the United States Industrial Alcohol Company, was responsible for the construction of the molasses storage tank in Boston. They stored molasses there and were involved in its improper maintenance, leading to the disaster.

How was the molasses tank's construction rushed and flawed?

The tank's construction was rushed because the Purity Distilling Company had only two months to complete the project before receiving their first large shipment. Arthur P. Jell, the project's overseer, lacked architectural or technical experience and failed to ensure proper safety measures, resulting in structural weaknesses.

Why was the molasses tank not properly tested?

The tank was not properly tested due to the urgent need to begin receiving molasses shipments. Instead of conducting a full test, only six inches of water were used to 'test' the tank's integrity, which proved inadequate.

How did the weather on January 15, 1919, contribute to the disaster?

On January 15, 1919, Boston experienced a 'January thaw,' where temperatures rose briefly, causing the molasses in the tank to ferment. The tank’s single vent was closed due to the winter weather, trapping the built-up pressure inside, which eventually led to the tank’s collapse.

What caused the tank to collapse and release the molasses?

The collapse was caused by the failure of the tank’s structure, as rivets blew out due to the high internal pressure from the fermenting molasses. The tank disintegrated, sending a 25-foot wave of molasses rushing through the surrounding area.

How fast did the molasses wave travel and what damage did it cause?

The wave of molasses traveled at about 35 miles per hour and spread in all directions. It caused significant destruction, including the collapse of buildings and the tragic loss of life. Several individuals were trapped, and some drowned in the thick molasses.

What role did the USS Nantucket play in the rescue efforts?

The USS Nantucket, a gunboat and training ship, had sailors who rushed to the disaster site after the collapse. They assisted in rescue operations, wading through knee-deep molasses and pulling over 20 wounded individuals from the wreckage.

What was the aftermath of the disaster in terms of casualties and cleanup?

The disaster resulted in 21 fatalities and approximately 150 injuries. Cleanup efforts were extensive, taking weeks and involving over 300 volunteers. The thick molasses made it extremely difficult to remove, requiring thousands of man-hours and specialized equipment.

How did the legal investigation and trial affect the United States Industrial Alcohol Company?

The investigation found that the tank was structurally unsound, and USIA was held guilty of manslaughter. A landmark class-action lawsuit resulted in the company being fined $300,000 in damages. The case led to stricter laws regulating construction safety and engineering certifications in Massachusetts.