Composition for carcasses consisting of a bottle containing antimony, resin, saltpetre, turpentine and tallow. There is a label on the bottle : 'Composition taken from....' Carcasses were originally made of canvas but later were of cast iron cases in which were 3-5 holes. The composition was poured into these cases and the fuse holes filled with powder. Carcasses were fired from mortars and howitzers, the object being to set fire to the enemy's ships -the composition was almost impossible to extinguish.