Dave,
Alfred Berney's formula for incendiary mixtures:
"The materials which I use as my filling composition are the following, and I employ them in about the proportions set forth, viz: For making, say, twelve pounds, I.take of benzole of good quality, four pounds; crude petroleum, two pounds; coal-tar, two pounds; turpentine, two pounds; residuum from distilled petroleum; one pound; coal-oil from coal-tar, one pound. These proportions may be.varied and some of the materials may be omitted; but the proportions I have given are the best, and each of the ingredients adds to the vahie of the compound. After the materials are thoroughly mixed, they may be kept in close barrels or tanks for use. When to be applied in filling shells, the shell is first filled with what is known as "cotton waste," or some similar fibrous material, and the composition is then poured into the shell and a tight plug put in to prevent leakage. The use of the cotton waste is to absorb the liquid and pre
vent its scattering too much on the explosion of the shell; and I would here remark that I have found by experience that cotton waste applied in the manner set forth is the best instrumentality for filling shells of any description with any kind of inflammable liquid."
Regards,
John aka Bart
P.s. the Parrott shels fired into the city of Charleston contained the cotten waste.