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Molasses Flood 1919
Photo from Dark Tide: The Great Boston Molasses Flood of 1919
Tag 10062005 Globe West 1,2,3
Tag 10062005 Globe West 1,2,3
94 years ago, January 15, 1919, was a tragic day in the North End.
Back then, the area was heavily industrialized- packed with people and a 2.3 million gallon cast-iron tank fifty feet above street level was not out of place. The tank was full of molasses, often used as a sweetener, but in this case (and applicable to this blog), it had been slated by the United States Industrial Alcohol Company for rum production.
Unseasonably warm weather that day after near zero temperatures days before may have contributed to the disaster; just after lunch time the tank ruptured spilling the entire deadly, sticky stuff onto Commercial Street in a 30 foot wave- 21 people were killed, 150 injured.
We tend not to forget in Boston; some say on warm days in the North End you can still smell molasses.
The author is solely responsible for the content.
About Straight Up
Boston bartender Josh Childs navigates you through the art of making cocktails, takes you on a tour of the liquor cabinet, and shares recipes and industry insights. This blog will also feature other local bartenders on similar topics.About the author
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Josh Childs has bartended throughout Boston for more than 20 years. Co-owner of Silvertone Bar & Grill, Trina's Starlite Lounge, and Parlor Sports, Josh has seen every kind of cocktail trend come and go. On his off nights, his favorite thing to drink is a Miller High Life.
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Contact:
Email Josh: straightupjc@gmail.com
Follow Josh on Twitter @Joshua_Childs
Related links
- Liquor.com: Your expert guide
- Cocktail Hacker
- Imbibe Unfiltered
- Esquire.com: Cocktails
- Cocktail virgin
- Mouthing Off by Food & Wine
- The Cocktail Chronicles
- Alcademics
- gaz regan
- Beantown Eats
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