Sweet Disaster
Short answer: In 1919, a 25-foot wave of molasses tore through Boston at 35 mph and killed 21 people.
Which sounds scarier to you: a tsunami of water or a tsunami of molasses?
What should you know about Sweet Disaster?
Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.
January 15, 1919: Around 12:40 PM, a 50-foot steel tank in Boston's North End split open.
2.3 million gallons: About 8.7 million liters of molasses flooded two city blocks within seconds.
35 mph: Up to 25 feet tall and 160 feet wide, it ripped a firehouse off its foundation.
The cold made it deadlier: Molasses is ~4,000x more viscous than water. In the winter air it thickened and trapped victims.
21 dead. 150 injured.: Boston Harbor stayed stained brown until summer.
It leaked for years: Kids collected the drips. The company's fix: paint the tank brown.
6 inches of water: Its only leak test. A full test was called “an unnecessary expense.”
$628,000: In 1925, after a 5-year legal fight, the owner was found liable. Roughly $8–9 million today.
The write-up
A 25-foot wave of molasses killed 21 people in Boston. January 15, 1919. It moved at 35 mph.
- Exhibit A
January 15, 1919
Around 12:40 PM, a 50-foot steel tank in Boston's North End split open.
- Exhibit B
2.3 million gallons
About 8.7 million liters of molasses flooded two city blocks within seconds.
- Exhibit C
35 mph
Up to 25 feet tall and 160 feet wide, it ripped a firehouse off its foundation.
- Exhibit D
The cold made it deadlier
Molasses is ~4,000x more viscous than water. In the winter air it thickened and trapped victims.
- Exhibit E
21 dead. 150 injured.
Boston Harbor stayed stained brown until summer.
- Exhibit F
It leaked for years
Kids collected the drips. The company's fix: paint the tank brown.
- Exhibit G
6 inches of water
Its only leak test. A full test was called “an unnecessary expense.”
- Exhibit H
$628,000
In 1925, after a 5-year legal fight, the owner was found liable. Roughly $8–9 million today.
Questions people ask about Sweet Disaster
How much molasses flooded Boston's North End?
About 2.3 million gallons, roughly 8.7 million liters, flooded two city blocks within seconds.
Source: Slide 03 · Exhibit B (2.3 million gallons)
Why did the January cold make the flood deadlier?
Molasses is about 4,000 times more viscous than water, and in the winter air it thickened and trapped victims.
Source: Slide 05 · Exhibit D (The cold made it deadlier)
How many people died?
21 people died and 150 were injured.
Source: Slide 06 · Exhibit E (21 dead. 150 injured.)
What was the company's fix for the leaking tank?
It leaked for years, kids collected the drips, and the company painted the tank brown.
Source: Slide 07 · Exhibit F (It leaked for years)
How much was the owner found liable for in 1925?
$628,000 after a 5-year legal fight, roughly $8–9 million today.
Source: Slide 09 · Exhibit H ($628,000)
Test Your Knowledge
All quizzes →5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.
How much molasses flooded Boston's North End?
- 230,000 gallons
- 2.3 million gallons
- 23 million gallons
- 500,000 gallons
Show the answer
Answer: B. 2.3 million gallons About 2.3 million gallons, roughly 8.7 million liters, flooded two city blocks within seconds. Source: Slide 03 · Exhibit B (2.3 million gallons)
Why did the January cold make the flood deadlier?
- The molasses froze solid
- Ice blocked the streets
- The molasses thickened and trapped victims
- Snow hid the wave
Show the answer
Answer: C. The molasses thickened and trapped victims Molasses is about 4,000 times more viscous than water, and in the winter air it thickened and trapped victims. Source: Slide 05 · Exhibit D (The cold made it deadlier)
How many people died?
- 7
- 21
- 150
- 210
Show the answer
Answer: B. 21 21 people died and 150 were injured. Source: Slide 06 · Exhibit E (21 dead. 150 injured.)
What was the company's fix for the leaking tank?
- Rebuilding it
- Draining it every winter
- Adding steel bands
- Painting it brown
Show the answer
Answer: D. Painting it brown It leaked for years, kids collected the drips, and the company painted the tank brown. Source: Slide 07 · Exhibit F (It leaked for years)
How much was the owner found liable for in 1925?
- $628,000
- $62,800
- $6.28 million
- $8 million
Show the answer
Answer: A. $628,000 $628,000 after a 5-year legal fight, roughly $8–9 million today. Source: Slide 09 · Exhibit H ($628,000)
Cite this case file
Easterling, Marcus. "Sweet Disaster." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-753, last updated Oct 17, 2026. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/great-molasses-flood/
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