Ashland in Boyd County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Wiard Cannon
Photographed By J. J. Prats, September 30, 2018
1. Wiard Cannon Marker
Inscription.
Wiard Cannon. . A former Canadian working for the United States during the Civil War invented several pieces of light ordnance which, although apparently excellent weapons, did not seem to have been particularly popular. Norman Wiard (1826-1896) was born in Ontario where at an early age he became foreman of a foundry and began experiments with ordnance. During the Civil War he served as Superintendent of Ordnance Stores, a post which offered considerable opportunity for his inventive proclivities and incidentally brought him into consultation regarding weapons development with both the President and Secretary of War Stanton. , Writing in 1863, Wiard described his weapons as being made of semi-steel (a low-carbon cast iron in which scrap steel replaces part of the pig iron of the charge) in two calibers , 6-pounder rifle of 2.6 inch bore and a 12-pounder, of 3.67 rifled bore. On display is the 2.6 Inch or 6-pounder version. , Reproduction by Steen Cannon and Ordnance Works.
A former Canadian working for the United States during the Civil War invented several
pieces of light ordnance which, although apparently excellent weapons, did not seem to have
been particularly popular. Norman Wiard (1826-1896) was born in Ontario where at an early age
he became foreman of a foundry and began experiments with ordnance. During the Civil War he
served as Superintendent of Ordnance Stores, a post which offered considerable opportunity for
his inventive proclivities and incidentally brought him into consultation regarding weapons
development with both the President and Secretary of War Stanton.
Writing in 1863, Wiard described his weapons as being made of semi-steel (a low-carbon
cast iron in which scrap steel replaces part of the pig iron of the charge) in two calibers —
6-pounder rifle of 2.6 inch bore and a 12-pounder, of 3.67 rifled bore. On display is the 2.6 Inch
or 6-pounder version.
Reproduction by Steen Cannon & Ordnance Works.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Military • War, US Civil. A significant historical year for this entry is 1863.
Location. 38° 28.707′ N, 82° 38.327′ W. Marker is in Ashland, Kentucky, in Boyd County. Marker is on Winchester Avenue (Business U.S. 23) east of 16th Street, on the left
Click or scan to see this page online
when traveling east. It is at The Old Post Office. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Ashland KY 41101, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 10, 2018. It was originally submitted on December 8, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 323 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on December 8, 2018, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.
