What flood damage do you see in this photo?

Organic Matter/Shutterstock.com (top molasses); The Granger Collection (The Great Molasses Flood

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The Great Molasses Flood

January 21, 2019

This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared in the January 21, 2019, issue of Scholastic News Edition 3. 

This is an edited version of an article that originally appeared in the January 21, 2019, issue of Scholastic News Edition 3.

Boom! More than a hundred years ago, one of the strangest disasters in history struck Boston, Massachusetts. On January 15, 1919, more than 2 million gallons of molasses flooded a busy part of the city. That’s enough sugary syrup to fill at least three giant swimming pools! The sticky goo caused great damage—and even proved deadly.

Boom! More than a hundred years ago, a strange disaster struck Boston, Massachusetts. On January 15, 1919, more than 2 million gallons of molasses flooded that city. That’s enough sugary syrup to fill three giant swimming pools! The sticky goo caused great damage—and even proved deadly.

A Wave of Syrup

The molasses had been kept in a giant steel tank. While molasses is often used in cookies and cakes, this molasses was being stored for a different purpose. The owners planned to turn it into a special type of alcohol. The alcohol was used to make explosives.

Around noon on that winter day in 1919, the tank burst with a mighty boom. The molasses gushed out.

Usually, molasses moves slowly. But the force of the tank collapse changed that. The thick syrup formed a 30-foot-high wave that raced down Commercial Street at 35 miles per hour. The molasses swept a truck into the nearby Boston Harbor. It damaged an elevated train track. It even flattened buildings and knocked a firehouse off its foundation.

Many people got stuck in the syrup. Sadly, 21 people died and 150 more were injured in the flood.

“Neither horses nor people could outrun it,” says Deborah Kops, author of a book about the tragedy.

The molasses had been kept in a giant steel tank. Molasses is often used in cookies and cakes. But this molasses was being stored for a different purpose. The owners planned to turn it into a special type of alcohol. The alcohol was used to make explosives.

Around noon on that winter day, the tank burst. The molasses gushed out.

Usually, molasses moves slowly. But the force of the tank bursting changed that. The thick syrup formed a 30-foot-high wave that moved at 35 miles per hour. It swept a truck into the Boston Harbor. It damaged an elevated train track. It even flattened buildings and knocked a firehouse off its foundation.

Many people got stuck in the syrup. Sadly, 21 people died and 150 more were hurt.

“Neither horses nor people could outrun it,” says Deborah Kops. She’s the author of a book about the flood.

Why Did It Happen?

Experts investigated the disaster. They found that the tank had been built too quickly—and with steel that was too thin. The company that owned the tank had made repairs to stop leaks, but those weren’t enough. A court blamed the company for the tragedy.

After the flood, states began passing new laws. They require companies to build and inspect equipment more carefully. That means the flood is still having an effect one hundred years later. Only now, it’s a good one!

Experts investigated. They found that the tank had been built too quickly. It had also been made with steel that was too thin. The company that owned the tank had made repairs, but those weren’t enough. A court blamed the company for the tragedy.

After the flood, states began passing new laws. They require companies to build and inspect equipment more carefully. That means the flood is still having an effect today. Only now, it’s a good one!

Kids Back Then

If you lived in 1919, your idea of fun might be a go-cart or a family singalong. There was no TV! And your house probably wouldn't have electricity and indoor plumbing. Only 1 out of 100 homes did!

Keystone View/FPG/Getty Images

Kids Back Then

If you lived in 1919, your idea of fun might be a go-cart or a family singalong. There was no TV! And your house probably wouldn't have electricity and indoor plumbing. Only 1 out of 100 homes did!

Keystone View/FPG/Getty Images

1. The author calls the molasses flood “one of the strangest disasters in history.” What makes this disaster strange?

2. Look at the illustration on the cover of the magazine. What do you notice? How does it help you understand the article?

3. Why did a court blame the company that owned the molasses tank for the tragedy?

1. The author calls the molasses flood “one of the strangest disasters in history.” What makes this disaster strange?

2. Look at the illustration on the cover of the magazine. What do you notice? How does it help you understand the article?

3. Why did a court blame the company that owned the molasses tank for the tragedy?

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