The Great Boston Molasses Tragedy

Tomorrow marks the 92nd anniversary of the Boston Molasses Tragedy.  In 1919 a tank containing molasses ruptured sending the sweet goodness down the streets and into homes at a 35 mile per hour clip. The event has entered local folklore, and residents claim that on hot summer days, the area still smells of molasses.  People have begun having Tragedy parties, a la Cinco de Mayo, to commemorate the event.  Attendees are told to wear or bring something molasses appropriate.

While I am always up for a party, with little or no context needed, take a moment to think about the following people who died drowning in thick, slow molasses.  Certainly not a great way to leave this mortal coil,  quaff a beer and doff your hat to the 21 poor souls (and uncounted horses) who perished.  

 

As described by author Stephen Puleo:

"Molasses, waist deep, covered the street and swirled and bubbled about the wreckage. Here and there struggled a form — whether it was animal or human being was impossible to tell. Only an upheaval, a thrashing about in the sticky mass, showed where any life was... Horses died like so many flies on sticky fly-paper. The more they struggled, the deeper in the mess they were ensnared. Human beings — men and women — suffered likewise."

Fatalities


Name Age Occupation

Patrick Breen                              44 Laborer (North End Paving Yard)

William Brogan                           61 Teamster

Bridget Clougherty                      65 Homemaker

Stephen Clougherty                     34 Unemployed

John Callahan                              43 Paver (North End Paving Yard)

Maria Distasio                             10 Child

William Duffy                              58 Laborer (North End Paving Yard)

Peter Francis                               64 Blacksmith (North End Paving Yard)

Flamino Gallerani                        37 Driver

Pasquale Iantosca                       10 Child

James H. Kinneally                      Unknown Laborer (North End Paving Yard)

Eric Laird                                   17 Teamster

George Layhe                             38 Firefighter (Engine 31)

James Lennon                             64 Teamster/Motorman

Ralph Martin                              21 Driver

James McMullen                        46 Foreman, Bay State Express

Cesar Nicolo                              32 Expressman

Thomas Noonan                        43 Longshoreman

Peter Shaughnessy                     18 Teamster

John M. Seiberlich                     69 Blacksmith (North End Paving Yard)

Michael Sinnott                          76 Messenger