CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF INCENDIARY MATERIALS TO BE USED IN WARFARE
Year: 1855

page_text: LETTERS PATENT to John Macintosh, of Great Ormond Street, in the
County of Middlesex, for the Invention of "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN.
PROVISIONAL SPECIFICATION-left by the said John Macintosh at tho
Office of the Commissioners of Patents, with his Petition, on the 6th,
August 1855.
I, JOHN MACINTOSH; of Great Ormond Street, in the County Middlesex,
do hereby declare tlie nature of the said Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS
IN THE APPLICATION OF INCENDIARY MATERIALS TO BE USED IN WARFARE," 'to be as
follows:-
This Invention relates to coal-tar naphtha, alone or in combination with
other materials, to be used as an agent in attack and defence; and consists;
first, in the application of coal-tar naphtha as a destructive agent in sub-
marine and other vessels; such naphtha may be discharged from boats or
vessels by pumps, cocks, hose, or valves, in or on the water, and ignited by
potassium or other fuses. Second, in the application of coal-tar naphtha
mixed with gunpowder, india-rubber; and fibrous materials introduced into

page_text: shells and other missiles; also in filling shells with coal-tar naphtha contain-
ing potassium, for igniting when used in water; and also in filling shells with
coal-tar naphtha mixed with phosphorus and bisulphuret of carbon, with
bursting powder sufficient to open the shells.
SPECIFICATION filed in pursuance of the conditions of the Letters Patent,
and of the above Order, by the said John Macintosh in the Great Seal
Patent Office on the 10th January 1857.
TO ALL TO WHOM THESE PRESENTS SHALL COME, I, JOHN
MACINTOSH, of Great Ormond Street, in the County of Middlesex, send
greeting.
WHEREAS Her most Excellent Majesty Queen Victoria, by Her Letters
Patent, bearing date the Sixth day of August, in the year of our Lord One
thousand eight hundred and fifty-five, in the nineteenth year of Her reign, did,
for Herself, Her heirs and successors, give and grant unto me, the said Jobn
Macintosh, Her special licence that I, the said John Macintosh, my executors,
administrators, and assigns, or such others as I, the said John Macintosh, my
executors, administrators, and assigns, should at any time agree with, and no
others, from time to time and at all times thereafter during the term therein
expressed, should and lawfully might make, use, exercise, and vend, within
the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, the Channel Islands, and
Isle of Man, an Invention for "CERTAIN IMPROVEMENTS IN THE APPLICATION OF
INCENDIARY MATERIALS TO BE USED IN WARFARE," upon the condition (amongst
others) that I, the said John Macintosh, my executors or administrators, by
an instrument in writing under my, or their, or one of their hands and seals,
should particularly describe and ascertain the nature of the said Invention, and
in what manner the same was to be performed, and cause the same to be
filed in the Great Seal Patent Office on or before the Tenth day of Janary,
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
NOW KNOW YE, that I, the said John Macintosh, do hereby declare the
nature of my said Invention, and in what manner the same is to be per-
formed, to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following
statement:-
My Invention consists in methods of facilitating attack on stronghold
batteries on shore, and on fleets, dockyards, harbours, towns, and other objects;
and in methods of defence against the approach of an enemy. When it is-

page_text: desired to attack fortresses from seaward, I generate by chemical means an
artificial dense and dark fog or atmosphere, capable of being prolonged at
pleasure, in front of the batteries or forts to be attacked, the result of which
is to drive the enemy from their guns, and enable the attacking vessels to
approach the enemy's works, and take up positions necessary for pouring in
their broadsides unmolested by any hostile fire.
In order to carry out my Invention I take coal-tar naptha, alone or in com-
bination with other materials, and cause the same to be conveyed to a hostile
stronghold, naval battery, or fort by the following means:-
In attacking the sea faces of such strongholds or fortifications as Cronstadt,
Malta, or Sebastopol, where there is scarcely any tide, but a sufficient depth of
water, I freight with the before-mentioned materials submarine steam-vessels,
or vessels rendered shot-proof, having iron compartments or tanks specially
adapted for containing the same, despatching them to the enemy's works;
in front of which, by means of pumps, hose, and suitable outlets, a sufficient
quantity of the composition is discharged upon the surface of the water
surrounding. or bordering the fort or battery; and I then place a ball of
potassium in the entrance of the tube or hose by means of suitable cocks or
taps, and renew the pumping so as to force the ball of potassium through the
tube into the water, when, by its great affinity for oxygen, it will immediately
take fire on rising to the surface, and inflame the entire quantity of compo-
sition previously transmitted, the consequence being the formation of a dense,
black, suffocating fog or vapour, which envelopes the fort or battery, rushing
into the casemates or embrasures, and driving away the gunners and all
engaged therein. I keep up the supply of the composition for a sufficient
period, so that the attacking vessels can approach sufficiently near to destroy
the enemy's works, already rendered untenable and incapable of resistance.
Fortresses such as the above named could be rendered harmless by this
process, and destroyed without loss of life to the attacking vessels.
Another mode I adopt is as follows:-It being understood that the opera-
tions take place from a vessel appointed for the purpose among those about
to attack the battery or fort. I take a hose or tube of suitable material, ren-
dered impervious to. the action of naptha, and coil or wind it upon a drum,
or dispose it in any other suitably compact form capable of being readily paid
out from a shot-proof steam vessel in which it is placed. One end of the tube
or hose being retained in the vessel from which the operation is to take place,
the shot-proof steam vessel proceeds to the enemy's fort or battery, paying out
the tube or hose as it progresses. When the tube is thus conveyed sufficiently
near to the hostile fort or battery, its extremity is sunk to a suitable depth by

page_text: means of weights and cords, which secure it from change of position, and the
vessel returns to a situation of safety; while, by means of a force pump, I
cause the composition or mixture before named to flow from the vessel
appointed for the service, through the tube, the consequence being that the
composition issues from the end of the tube in close contiguity to the enemy's
fort or battery, and by its less specific gravity rises to the surface of the water,
whereon it floats. The ball of potassium is in due course to be transmitted
in order to inflame the whole, as before described, and the supply is continued
as long as desired..
.
Under tidal influence the tube may be attached to a boat or other buoyant
object, and allowed to float to the battery or fort intended to be attacked; or
the composition may be discharged upon the water, and allowed to be carried
by the tide or wind to the battery, and then ignited by a shell containing
naptha and potassium, or by a rocket containing potassium, or, by other suitable
means.
By the foregoing methods the tube or hose may be laid down at night;. or
in a fog, or at some other suitable time, the attacking fleet having always
the advantage of choosing .wind and weather, and of selecting those oppor-
tunities and positions which are alone needed to develope its formidable
powers.
It may be expedient,- under certain circumstances, to freight a steam vessel;
with the combustible material, and to start- her under the control of two or
three men towards the enemy's works; when nearly within the enemy's range
they light a time fuse in connection with gunpowder, and abandon the vessel,
leaving her to proceed on her course and reach the enemy's works; the
consequent explosion scatters and disperses the composition and causes the
combustion of the whole, creating the destructive effects previously described..
In order to support the combustion of the composition in contiguity to the fort
or battery, the neighbouring atmosphere is deprived of its oxygen, and to
continue the combustion, oxygen is derived from the windward side, and, the
flame and heat rarify the air to such an extent that cold or fresh air cannot
descend, consequently the battery or fort being to leeward beconies completely
enveloped in nitrogen, the result of. which is to drive the enemy froni their
guns, and enable the vessels of the attacking fleet to approach and..take. the
most desirable positions, and pour in their broadsides unmolested by any hostile
fire.
Another feature of my Invention consists in filling diaphragm shells, having
a bursting charge, with coal-tar naptha, with the addition of a few pills
of potassium, which shells, when fired in the ordinary manner, possess the

page_text: following properties and advantages over the ordinary shells:-Striking against
the walls or surfaces of a stronghold, battery, or naval fortress, these shells may
either break in pieces by concussion, or they may fall into the sea without frac-
ture. In the former case the naptha and potassium become scattered, and fall
on the surface of the water, and the potassium ignites the whole.. In the latter
case the shell sinks, and in due course explodes in the usual manner; the
naptha and potassium rise to the surface, and become ignited, causing the
destructive results before described. But should the shell enter the casemates
or embrasures, or any part of the fortress, the result is. as follows:-If the
shell is fractured by concussion, the naptha becomes scattered in all directions
in the interior of the battery, causing the whole atmosphere to become highly
explosive by the diffusion of hydrocarbons gas, and, should flame be present,
an explosion results, causing destruction to gunners and material. But if the
shell should not have become fractured by concussion, the bursting charge
explodes in due course, and scatters the naptha with similar results. This
shell, when fired into combustible material, possesses the most destructive
properties..
Another portion of my Invention: consists in mixing with coal-tar naptha,
india-rubber, gunpowder, and fibrous materials, and in filling therewith car-
casses and diaphragm shells: having a bursting charge. These, shells are for
the purpose of setting fire to combustible materials, and when fired and burst
the thick fibrous. material .prevents the diffusion or scattering of the mass,
which becomes inflamed, and burns.with fearful energy, causing destruction
to all combustible matter within its influence. I fill diaphragm shells with
coal-tar naptha mixed with phosphorus and bisulphuret of carbon, or suitable
phosphuretted paste, such as is usually employed in the manufacture of in-
stantaneous lights, having a bursting charge sufficient to open the shells.
When fired, the bursting of these shells scatters the contents in all, directions,
and the shower of inflammable.material falling among cavalry and troops
ignites spontaneously, causing their immédiate disorganization and destruction.
Fired into shipping, these shells, bursting on deck or below, scatter the in-
flammable material in all directions, and the spontaneous combustion which
arises causes. inevitable and irremediable injuries and destruction to the crew,
who are unable to escape except by dropping overboard, and the vessel itself
is speedily consumed, aid from the crow having been rendered impossible, as
just described.. Fired into harbours, dockyards, or towns, the result is alike
destructive.and decisive. I also fill the shells or carcasses attached to rockets
with the foregoing compositions.
I also apply my inflammatory.composition to rockets, in the following

page_text: manner: I take gunpowder, and mix it with coal-tar naptha and india-
rubber, and, if desired, with fibrous materials; the mass is now pressed and
formed into moulds of a size to fit the rocket shell, either in the form of sepa-
rate washers, or in a complete tube or cylinder; the mass may be moulded or
pressed at once into the rocket shell, having a mandril in the centre.
The object of this method is to render the powder impervious to moisture,
to cause adhesion of the mass, which prevents it from cracking, and to carry
fire to an enemy, in which case I coat the external surface of the rocket with
gunpowder, india-rubber, and fibrous material, which become ignited after the
rocket has reached its destination, causing destructive results.
I also apply my inflammatory materials to the manufacture of fuses for
shells, by mixing gunpowder, india-rubber, and naptha, and forming the mass
into fuses, by which means the preservation of powder from damp and wet
is effected; the fuses are easily ignited, and burn with great regularity, and
they appear absolutely incapable of being extinguished, circumstances which
render them of great service in ricochet practice.
In the defence of fortresses, towns, harbours, dockyards, shipping, channels,
and mouths of rivers against the attack of a hostile fleet, as well as in repelling
troops landed therefrom, I make use of any of the means I have described in
my modes of attack, according to circumstances. For example, to convey
the inflammable materials to a hostile fleet, I employ submarine vessels
having propelling power and furnished with iron compartments or tanks, as
before described, whereby I am enabled to discharge by suitable outlets a sufli-
cient quantity of material directly under the enemy's vessels; I then allow a
ball of potassium to rise to the surface, which, igniting amongst this inflaminable
material, instantly engulphs the fleet in flames and black suffocating vapour,
speedily destroying life and material without risk to the submarine vessel.
The several shells described in my means of attacking an enemy may be also
made available for destroying a hostile fleet.
The shells filled with the composition capable of becoming spontaneously
ignited form a certain and awful agent of destruction when employed against
an attacking or advancing force landed from an enemy's fleet.
The compositions described will burn as well in mud as in water, and when
a shell containing them bursts in mud or earthworks, the bursting of the
charge ignites the inflammable material, and the earth, being porous and
incombustible, prevents the combustion from spreading rapidly, but allows the
black vapour to ooze out gradually, causing most serious annoyance to the
enemy, who are utterly unable to extingush the suffocating fog, and are
lindered from carrying on their operations.

page_text: My Invention may be brought to bear with satisfactory results against an
enemy encamped in tents, and surrounded with materials of warfare, by open-
ing fire upon them with my rockets and shells, especially those containing the
spontaneously igniting composition, the result being a general conflagration
and destruction of men and material, transforming the whole into one vast sea
of fire.
In defending a fortress or town from the attack of an enemy by land, I
In
cause ditches to be formed around the same, at a distance beyond range.
or near the town or fortress I keep a quantity of coal-tar naptha, or com-
position, as described, in suitable reservoirs situated on an elevation, so that by
means of mains or pipes, with branches in various directions, laid down from.
such reservoirs to the ditches, a powerful head or flow is thus always available
for supplying the inflaminable material, and rapidly discharging the same into
the ditches in the event of an enemy endeavouring to cross the same; by the
ball of potassium, or by a shell, the whole is inflamed, causing destruction to
the enemy.
In stopping the passage of an enemy crossing a river by the aid of boats or
pontoon bridges, I allow the enemy to construct their bridge, and permit any
desired number to cross over, and being thus divided, I cause a quantity of the
material described to flow into or upon the river and among the pontoons.
The material or composition being inflamed by any of the foregoing methods,
the pontoons are, with the advancing troops, instantly engulphed in devouring
flames, with black suffocating vapour, and speedily consumed. In addition to
this destruction, the enemy become divided beyond all hope of reuniting, and
the advanced portion, thus cut off from assistance or retreat, fall into the hands
of their opponents.
Should there be a current in the river, the material
may be discharged accordingly, above or below the pontoon bridge, and
allowed to float or drift thereto, and being then inflamed by any of the
methods described, the rapid destruction of men and material ensues.
In preventing the passage of a hostile fleet through narrow channels,
suitable reservoirs containing the material or composition are placed at
elevated positions, and mains with branch pipes are laid down to the
channel at various distances apart, and the hostile fleet being allowed to
enter to any desirable extent, the material may be discharged and inflamed,
so as to cause the fleet to be placed between two fires, not only putting
a stop to its progress or retrogradation, but overwhelming the crews with
the black suffocating fog or vapour, and eventually, on the burning mass
arriving from one direction or the other, according to wind or current, causing
its inevitable conflagration. From the nature of the country or other cause,

page_text: it may not be convenient to place the reservoirs on elevated sites, in which
case the material is to be forced by mechanical means from the reservoirs, and
caused to flow with great rapidity through the mains and pipes.
When the destruction of an enemy's vessels is not desired; the hostile fleet
is permitted to enter a channel or to take up any position chosen for its attack;
the inflammable material is then discharged and ignited at moderate distances
from the various vessels composing the fleet, precaution being taken so to
regulate the supply, that, while the flames are not suffered to acquire a sufficient
magnitude to approach and injure the vessels, the black fog enshrouds the
fleet in impenetrable continuous darkness, their crews being simultaneously
destroyed by the stifling vapour.
The operation being completed, the atmosphere is allowed to regain its
natural purity, and possession of the fleet may then be obtained.
In preventing attack from steam floating batteries, which, being encased
with iron, and rendered shot-proof, are considered impregnable, the various
methods of defence before described may be adopted, and although by reason
of these vessels exposing but little combustible material externally, they may
not sustain important injury from the burning material, yet the circumstance
of their being deply immersed for the purpose of affording a less conspicuous
mark to an enemy, is extremely favorable to the operation of my Invention, as
I am enabled the more rapidly to envelope them in dense clouds of black
vapour, instantaneously overwhelming and destroying their crews.
The downward furnace draught existing in steam vessels towards the boiler
and engine rooms greatly facilitates the effect of the foregoing operation. The
black suffocating vapour is instantly drawn down to those situations, destroying
the engineers and firemen, and rendering any attempt on the part of the fleet
to escape impossible.
Land batteries furnished with well-served long-range guns firing my shells
filled with combustible material would effectually protect a town or harbour
from the attack of an enemy's fleet; or even a few shot-proof vessels, having
well-served guns; firing my shells, would not only keep a hostile fleet in check,
but scatter on the vessels a vast shower of burning material, causing a general
conflagration and annihilation.
When it is desired to check the passage of troops through mountain passes
or defiles, where there is an absence of water, I employ cotton wool, or other
suitable fibrous material, which I place in various situations in the pass, and
lay down some flexible hose thereto from an elevated position, whereon a
supply of the inflammable material is reserved; by these means, when the
enemy attempt to force or effect their passage, I saturate the fibrous material

page_text: with the composition, and inflame the whole by means of.a voltaic battery or
other suitable method. The fibrous material acts as an immense-wick, and
causes the naptha to burn with terrific effect, creating a vast, black. fog in the
defile. Or I saturate the ground with the .naptha without the agency of the
fibrous material, the supply being maintained at pleasure. The enemy are
thus enclosed between the sides of a mountain pass or ravine, a situation
where, under the operation of my Invention, the access of pure air.is rendered
impossible, the atmosphere is at once deprived of its oxygen, the troops, sud-
denly enveloped in nitrogen, sink. powerless to the earth under the irresistible
influence of this .appalling agent of destruction, and perish, suffocated in
absolute darkness.
The inexpensive and expeditious: method by which large quantities of coal-
tar naptha can be had from gasworks, and the lengthened period during which
it can be preserved without deterioration, together with the safety and facility
of applying it, are circumstances which render it of great service in military
and naval warfare.
Having now stated the nature of my said Invention, and the manner in
which the same is to be performed, I claim the employment of coal-tar
naptha, alone or in combination with other materials, for the purposes herein
described; also the application of coal-tar naptha, to be used in or by sub-
marine or shot-proof vessels, as and for the purposes herein described; also
the application of coal-tar naptha, alone or in combination with other mate-
rials, for the purpose of filling shells, and the mixture of india-rubber, coal-tar
naptha, gunpowder, and fibrous materials for fuses, for the manufacture of
rockets and filling shells, and the filling shells with the spontaneously igniting
compound, as and for the purposes herein described.
And I claim the several applications of the foregoing materials or com-
pounds for the purpose of facilitating attack on stronghold batteries on shore,
and on fleets, dockyards, harbours, towns, and other objects, as herein described;
and also the various applications of the same materials or compounds to the
purposes of defending fortresses, towns, harbours, dockyards, shipping, channels,
and mouths of rivers against the attack of a hostile fleet, as herein described;
also the method of destroying an enemy's camp, as described; and the method
of defending a fortress or town from the attack of an enemy by land; and the
method of stopping the passage of an enemy crossing a river by the aid of
boats or pontoon bridges; also the method of preventing the passage of a
hostile fleet through narrow channels, as herein described; and also the mode
of obtaining possession of an invading hostile fleet without causing injury
thereto, as described; also the method of preventing attack from steam floating

page_text: batteries and shot-proof vessels; and also the method of checking the passage
of an enemy's troops through mountain passes, and the mode of repelling
troops landed from a hostile fleet; and, finally, the employment of coal-tar
naptha, alone or in combination with other materials, and also the compounds
named herein, as well as the methods of their application, as herein described,
for and to all other purposes of warfare.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Macintosh, have hereunto set my
hand and seal, this Ninth day of January, in the year of our Lord
One thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven.
JOHN MACINTOSH. (L.S.)