Solving a Mystery Behind the Deadly ‘Tsunami of Molasses’ of 1919

NYT ^ | NOV. 26, 2016 | ERIN McCANN

[left that other site]

My grandfather used to relate this story to me.

Also the Coconut Grove Fire.

Boston has a very interesting history...and not just the Revolutionary War! :-)

[Jack Hammer]

A crazy and historical event - it’s difficult to imagine being drowned in molasses.

[Paul R.]

As long as the proxy is validated to behave like the actual substance in the conditions being studied, the results are completely valid.

I think a term is needed to denote "experiments" that are merely rehashing of well known / understood behavior, as opposed to research experiments that may break new ground, or at least confirm previously limited / uncertain data.

[exDemMom]

There are all kinds of experiments done that seemingly “rehash” known behavior. For one thing, our ability to observe and interpret is often limited by technology, and being able to take another look is necessary to understand tiny nuances that were not previously apparent.

Our understanding of “basic” science increases all the time.

For example, Mendel figured out genetics back in the mid 1800s. But thanks to technology, our understanding of genetics and the underlying mechanisms is as far beyond his idea of dominant and recessive genes as a guided missile is beyond a spear. Yet we still do the genetics experiments, still look at dominance and recessiveness.

[rlmorel]

The Cocoanut Grove Fire was a nasty one, but interesting, and a lot of good building code changes came out of it.

[goat granny]

smart man

[left that other site]

Yes indeed.

[GnuThere]

I’m trying to stay off sugar today, but I had to click on this. Now I’m hungry for molasses and biscuits!

[Deplorable American1776]

Molasses wasn’t as slow as Molasses in January...even thou it happened in January.

[Deplorable American1776]

It was stored because it was where it was produced.

[Daffynition]

The Hartford Circus Fire - 1944

In Hartford, Connecticut, a fire breaks out under the big top of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, killing 167 people and injuring 682. Two-thirds of those who perished were children.

The cause of the fire was unknown, but it spread at incredible speed, racing up the canvas of the circus tent. Scarcely before the 8,000 spectators inside the big top could react, patches of burning canvas began falling on them from above, and a stampede for the exits began. Many were trapped under fallen canvas, but most were able to rip through it and escape.

However, after the tent’s ropes burned and its poles gave way, the whole burning big top came crashing down, consuming those who remained inside. Within 10 minutes it was over, and some 100 children and 60 of their adult escorts were dead or dying.

An investigation revealed that the tent had undergone a treatment with flammable paraffin thinned with three parts of gasoline to make it waterproof.

Because of a picture that appeared in several newspapers of sad tramp clown Emmett Kelly holding a water bucket, the event became known as "the day the clowns cried."

[rlmorel]

I read an article about that...what an awful thing.

Fire is a nasty business. Nasty.

[Buttons12]

I meant, why one big tank, rather than several smaller ones?

[Daffynition]

Many fascinating, oral stories of that day.

Another huge tragedy to mention is the Johnstown Flood.

[rlmorel]

Yes, read a book about that too...THAT one was unbelievable. The train, going full speed ahead of the flood towards the town, blowing its whistle frantically trying to warn people.

And the flood, bringing houses along with it, with people on the houses, right up to the bridge where they met their doom.

THAT is one most Americans don’t know about, for sure.

[Deplorable American1776]

In the 60s and 70s, there is used be a commercial for Prince Spaghetti, with an Italian mom calling out 'Anthony' and talking about how Prince was made by Italians in the North end of Boston. New Englander still say that 'Wednesday is Prince Spaghetti Day'.

IIRC, the Prince factory is now a condo.

[left that other site]

Oh yes. The North End and the Warehouse district have changed quite a bit.

[Deplorable American1776]

The actor Charles Nelson Reilly was injured at the circus fire. The VA hospital is named for the Ringling chairman at the time.

Kate Hepburn's dad (he was a doctor) was at the circus fire, too.

[batterycommander]

Their math scores left something to desire.

[Deplorable American1776]

In the late 70s, I had to go to Atlantic Street since a sailboat manufacturer was there. You can see the changes happening then. Across the street was the headquarters of Prince, which was being renovated. Price moved to Lowell, by then.