The Great Mollasses Disaster

[CptStern]

..on January 15, 1919.....A large molasses tank burst and a wave of molasses rushed through the streets at an estimated 35 mph (56 km/h), killing 21 and injuring 150. The event has entered local folklore, and residents claim that on hot summer days the area still smells of molasses


a huge molasses tank 50 ft (15 m) tall, 90 ft (27 m) in diameter and containing as much as 2,300,000 US gal (8,700,000 L) collapsed. Witnesses stated that as it collapsed there was a loud rumbling sound like a machine gun as the rivets shot out of the tank, and that the ground shook as if a train was passing by.[3]

The collapse unleashed an immense wave of molasses between 8 and 15 ft (2.5 to 4.5 m) high, moving at 35 mph (56 km/h) and exerting a pressure of 2 ton/ft? (200 kPa).[4] The molasses wave was of sufficient force to break the girders of the adjacent Boston Elevated Railway's Atlantic Avenue structure and lift a train off the tracks. Nearby, buildings were swept off their foundations and crushed. Several blocks were flooded to a depth of 2 to 3 feet.

The Boston Globe reported that people "were picked up by a rush of air and hurled many feet." Others had debris hurled at them from the rush of sweet-smelling air. A truck was picked up and hurled into Boston Harbor. Approximately 150 were injured; 21 people and several horses were killed ? some were crushed and asphyxiated by the molasses. The wounded included people, horses, and dogs; coughing became one of the biggest problems after the initial blast.

...Anthony di Stasio, walking homeward with his sisters from the Michelangelo School, was picked up by the wave and carried, tumbling on its crest, almost as though he were surfing. Then he grounded and the molasses rolled him like a pebble as the wave diminished. He heard his mother call his name and couldn't answer, his throat was so clogged with the smothering goo. He passed out, then opened his eyes to find three of his sisters staring at him

people tried to run, but they were slower than molasses!

that's pretty awesome, despite the death and destruction


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boston_molasses_disaster

 

[JNightshade]

Lawl, I remember hearing about this. Must've been terrifying/gross.

 

[Bad^Hat]

So I didn't read the article but...

Goddamn it, it's NOT A FREAKING RIMSHOT.

 

[Mech Man]

Name Age Occupation
Patrick Brown 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

Lulz.

 

[CptStern]

So I didn't read the article but...

Goddamn it, it's NOT A FREAKING RIMSHOT.

doh ...

 

[Cormeh]

doh ...

This is the best thing I have ever been shown.

 

[CptStern]

I plan to use both extensively

 

[Escaep]

Sounds pretty sweet. Minus the dying.

Must have been one sticky situation for the clean up crews.

I could go on. :dork:

 

[Eejit]

Heh, sounds like people were killed by a flood of mollasses, amirite? lol

 

[Raziaar]

I've read and heard about this many times. It's always shocking every time I do.