The Great Molasses Flood: Boston's Sticky, Deadly Disaster

The catastrophic event on January 15th, a surprisingly warm day, was later attributed to the structural failure of a poorly constructed tank, which was overfilled and possibly weakened by the fermentation of its contents, increasing internal pressure. The overwhelming wave demolished buildings, swept horses and wagons into Boston Harbor, and even derailed an elevated train. Clean-up efforts took weeks, with firemen and residents battling the thick, inescapable goo, and the lingering scent of molasses was reportedly detectable in the neighborhood for decades, especially on hot summer days.