0:05
in the bustling city of Boston on
0:07
January 15th 1919 an unusual and tragic
0:11
event unfolded that left a lasting mark
0:13
on the city's history this event known
0:16
as the great Molasses Flood saw a
0:18
massive tank of molasses burst bending a
0:21
deadly wave through the streets and
0:22
killing 21 people it was a relatively
0:26
mild winter day in the North End
0:27
Neighborhood of Boston when a massive
0:29
storage tank owned by the United States
0:32
industrial alcohol company gave way tank
0:36
towering at 50 ft tall and 90 ft in
0:38
diameter contained over 2.3 million
0:41
gallons of molasses a sticky viscous
0:44
byproduct of sugar refining used
0:46
primarily in the production of
0:48
alcohol at approximately 12:30 p.m. a
0:52
loud Rumble Was Heard as the tank
0:53
ruptured unleashing a torrent of
0:55
molasses that moved with terrifying
0:57
Speed The Wave Ed to be 25 ft high at
1:01
its peak surged through the streets at
1:03
an estimated 35 mph smashing buildings
1:07
overturning vehicles and engulfing
1:09
everything in its path the immediate
1:11
aftermath was chaotic and devastating 21
1:15
people lost their lives and over 150
1:17
were injured the victims included
1:20
workers residents and even horses that
1:22
were unable to escape the sticky Deluge
1:25
rescue efforts were hampered by the
1:27
thick molasses which quickly cooled and
1:29
became even more difficult to navigate
1:32
investigations into the disaster
1:33
revealed that the tank had been poorly
1:35
constructed and inadequately maintained
1:38
rivets had popped out of the tank and
1:41
the steel walls were too thin to contain
1:43
the immense pressure of the Molasses
1:46
additionally rapid temperature changes
1:48
may have contributed to the structural
1:51
failure the great Molasses Flood had
1:54
significant legal and Regulatory
1:56
repercussion the tragedy led to stricter
1:58
building regulation and highlighted the
2:00
need for better oversight of industrial
2:03
facilities the United States industrial
2:06
alcohol company faced numerous lawsuits
2:08
and ultimately paid out substantial
2:10
settlements to the victim's
2:13
families over a century later the great
2:15
Molasses Flood remains a curious and
2:18
somber chapter in Boston's history
2:20
thanks for watching don't forget like
