In 1915, U.S Industrial Alcohol was supplying alcohol to munitions manufacturers. They distilled the alcohol from molasses, which they were buying from a local third party. USIA owned at least one molasses production company in the Caribbean. If they had a place to store it in Boston, they could - ThreadSky

mbenfinney.bsky.social • 66 days ago

In 1915, U.S Industrial Alcohol was supplying alcohol to munitions manufacturers. They distilled the alcohol from molasses, which they were buying from a local third party. USIA owned at least one molasses production company in the Caribbean. If they had a place to store it in Boston, they could

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mbenfinney.bsky.social•66 days ago

make even more money! They identified a location in north Boston to build a molasses storage tank, and tapped Arthur Jell, the company treasurer, to supervise construction. They dangle a promotion in front of Jell if he can complete construction in time to receive a molasses shipment by December 31.

mbenfinney.bsky.social•66 days ago

Construction began in early December. Jell had had to negotiate a land lease with the Boston Elevated Train Company, which took longer than he expected and he was up against his end of the year deadline. Hammond Ironworks provided the material and constructed the tank, a massive structure 50 feet

mbenfinney.bsky.social•66 days ago

tall and 90 feet in diameter, with a 2.5 million gallon capacity. The construction was entirely riveted mild steel, welding not being commonly used in construction (or shipbuilding) at the time.

mbenfinney.bsky.social•66 days ago

The tank was completed in time to be "leak tested" before its first delivery of molasses on December 31. Leak testing, in this case, meant "filling" the tank with 6 inches of water, noting no leaks, and declaring it ready for service.
The tank leaked molasses from day one.

mbenfinney.bsky.social•66 days ago

The tank (1) was located in a working class Irish and Italian neighborhood, 200 ft from Boston Harbor. It was next to Commercial Street, a fire station (2), and a section of elevated train tracks.

mbenfinney.bsky.social•66 days ago

From 1916 through 1918, the tank was filled frequently. Many people note the groaning and rumbling sounds after it was filled. Despite frequent caulking, the tank leaked all the time. Neighborhood children would collect and eat the molasses that gathered in puddles at the base (a 3-ft concrete pad).

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