56. The Catastrophic Molasses Flood of 1919

Year: 1919

Location: Boston, Massachusetts, USA

Company: Purity Distilling Company

Estimated Damage Value: $100 million*

In 1919, the Great Molasses Flood unleashed 2.3 million gallons of molasses in Boston’s North End, attributed to the Purity Distilling Company’s storage tank failure. This $100 million disaster propelled molasses at 35 mph across the city.

This tragic event claimed 21 lives and injured 150, leaving Boston smelling of molasses for years. Locals remember the eerie sound of bursting rivets, a cleanup effort requiring months, saltwater, and hundreds of workers to ameliorate the aftermath.