The Great Molasses Flood: A Sweet Disaster That Swept Boston

The unexpected catastrophe, known as the Great Molasses Flood, occurred on an unusually warm January day in Boston's North End. The sticky, dense wave, traveling at an estimated 35 miles per hour, swept through the streets, demolishing buildings and carrying people and horses with it. Rescue efforts were severely hampered by the thick, syrupy substance, which spread ankle-deep and complicated movement. The area reportedly smelled of molasses for decades afterward, a haunting reminder of the bizarre disaster caused by structural failure.