A carcass is a historic ship-to-ship weapon consisting of a hollow iron shell packed with highly flammable materials like sulfur, tallow, and turpentine. Fired from a mortar or cannon, it features several vent holes that shoot flames as the shell flies and after it lands. It was specifically used to ignite the wooden hulls, rigging, and sails of enemy vessels.
Heard on the job
The frigate fired a carcass into the enemy's rigging, hoping to start an uncontrollable fire on the top deck.