The Molasses Flood In Boston
The Great Molasses Flood happened in the North End neighborhood in Boston, Massachusetts on January 15, 1919. A molasses storage tank that belonged to Purity Distilling Company burst and 2.3 million gallons of molasses rushed to the streets, traveling at 35 miles per hour. There were 21 people killed and 150 were injured. According to locals, the smell of molasses lingered in the area for decades. Residents recall hearing something like a thunderclap before the molasses came rushing. This was the sound of the rivets shooting out of the tank during the burst. It took several months to clean the mess with saltwater. Several hundred rescue and cleanup workers worked together to fix the damage.
The Molasses Flood In Boston
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse
The first Tacoma Narrows Bridge was opened to the public on July 1, 1940. Four months later, the main span of the bridge collapsed and fell into the Narrows. Strong, 42MPH winds caused an aerostatic flutter, which led to the collapse. If there is one good thing that came out of the bridge collapse, it is that it led to new innovations in the design of bridges. One major flaw of the bridge’s design was the solid sides which didn’t allow wind to pass through. No human was killed, but there was one fatality, a Cocker Spaniel named Tubby.
The Tacoma Narrows Bridge Collapse
