The Great Molasses Flood of 1919: A Sticky Historical Disaster | E126

In this weeks episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Julie Henningsen and Kaycee McIntosh unravel one of history’s most unusual disasters—the Great Molasses Flood of 1919. Sparked by listener Amy from Stockton Springs, Maine, this episode dives into the bizarre yet tragic tale also known as the Boston Molasses Disaster. When a massive steel storage tank collapsed, it sent a towering wave of molasses flooding through Boston’s North End, killing 21 people and injuring over 150. Julie and Kaycee explore the factors that led to the disaster, the devastating aftermath, and the extraordinary personal survival stories that emerged. From firsthand accounts to the legal battles that followed, this episode highlights the lasting impact of the event and the crucial lessons on industrial safety and corporate accountability. Tune in as the hosts also share listener messages and encourage fans to continue suggesting stories that deserve a spotlight. Episode Breakdown: 00:00 – Welcome and Host Introductions 00:20 – Listener Shout-out and Story Setup 00:58 – Unfolding the Great Molasses Flood of 1919 02:43 – The Infamous Molasses Tank: A Disaster Waiting to Happen 06:39 – The Moment of Collapse: A Molasses Tsunami 10:02 – Chaos in the Aftermath: Eyewitness Accounts 12:22 – A Wave of Destruction: The Molasses’ Initial Impact 12:47 – Survivor Spotlight: Martin Cloherty’s Narrow Escape 14:35 – Survivor Spotlight: Frank P. Smith’s Quick Thinking 16:51 – Survivor Spotlight: Anthony Distasio’s Harrowing Experience 17:47 – The Herculean Cleanup Effort 19:58 – Legal Ramifications and the Fight for Accountability 24:12 – Remembering the Great Molasses Flood: Its Legacy 24:50 – Final Thoughts and Call to Action for Listeners Email us! [email protected] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecruxpodcast/ Get schooled by Julie in outdoor wilderness medicine! https://www.headwatersfieldmedicine.com/ Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.