A Small Town Hero, Joey Calabro

Molasses Tank Explosion Kills 21 and Injured Hundreds By: Gianna Bousaleh

Joey Calabro was a young boy who moved from Italy to the North End in the 1900’s. The North End was a small community within Boston were many immigrants from Europe and Ireland settled. At first Joey did not like the North End but he grew to love it and consider it his home. But his family had other plans, they were saving their money to move to Watertown, Ma.

Picture of the North End from the 1900’s

Joey thought if he skipped school and found a job he could save money and stay in the North End. Joey and his best friend Domenic skipped school and hung out at the Waterfront. An Irish police officer saw them but Joey and Dominic were able to run away. Back then the Irish and the Italians did not like each other there was frequently tension among different ethnic groups.

On January 15, 1919 Joey skipped school alone in search for a job. He was caught again by the Irish police officer but Joey was able to run away. Joey ran up the hill and heard a large explosion and everyone yelling. He saw houses turned to piles of wood, pieces of metal everywhere and he realized he was stepping in sticky molasses in some areas it was was over a foot high.

Joey quickly learned the Molasses Tank exploded causing 2,300,000 gallons of Molasses to flood the streets of the North End, causing 21 people to died and 150 to be injured. Joey became a small town hero that day after he heard someone calling for help. It was the Irish police man. Joey prayed and yelled for help and his efforts to get help saved the police officers life.

Joey was a hero that day and everyone in the neighborhood was celebrating. Mr. Arrico from the bakery gave out cookies to everyone. Joey’s mother was so proud. But no one was more grateful to Joey then the Irish Police Officer.

Joey finally decided he would not give his parents trouble and would move to Watertown. Joey knew he would move back to the North End some day and become a police officer.