Boston's Sticky Situation: The Great Molasses Flood of 1919

The disaster struck on an unseasonably warm January day, a factor believed to have intensified fermentation within the tank, increasing internal pressure. The immense viscosity of the molasses made rescue operations extremely challenging; victims were trapped, and the residue clogged streets for weeks. Cleanup crews resorted to using saltwater from fireboats to dissolve the molasses, yet locals reported a lingering sweet aroma in the area for many years. The subsequent lawsuit became one of Massachusetts' longest, ultimately holding the tank's owner, U.S. Industrial Alcohol Company, responsible for negligence in its construction and maintenance.