92]
10. To what purposes are grenades applied?
They are useful in the defense of works, the smaller, thrown by hand into the head of a sap, trenches, covered way, or upon the besiegers mounting a breach: the larger kinds are rolled over the parapet in a trough.
11. What is a carcass, and its use?
It is a spherical shell having three additional holes, of the same dimensions as the fuze-hole, pierced at equal distances apart in the upper hemisphere of the shell, and filled with a composition which burns with intense power from eight to ten minutes, and the flame issuing from the holes, sets fire to everything combustible within its reach; it is used in bombardments, setting fire to shipping, &c.; and is projected from cannon like a common shell.
12. What is a substitute for a carcass?
Common shells loaded in the following manner: The bursting charge is placed in the bottom of the shell in a flannel bag, over which carcass composition is driven until the shell is nearly filled; then insert four or five strands of quick-match, which must be secured by driving more composition upon it. These shells, after burning as a carcass, explode.
13. What is a fire-ball, and its use?
It is a projectile of an oval shape, formed of sacks of canvas filled with combustible composition, which emits a bright flame. Its use is to light up the enemy’s works, and it is loaded with a shell to prevent it from being approached.
14. What is a light ball?