CONTRACTS WITH NORMAN WIARD. BUREAU OF ORDNANCE, NAVY DEPARTMENT, 3 SIR: The bureau wishes to contract with you to make some semi-steel howitzers, 12pounders, to be made after a model gun which will be forwarded to you by express. Will you please notify the bureau whether you will undertake it? The guns to be made subject to such inspection and conditions as provided for in your other agreement. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, Mr. NORMAN WIARD. of, the file relating to semi-steel [NOTE.-The answer to this will be found at page 50-pounders. The order to make appears to have been verbal.] BUREAU OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHY, NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington City, D. C., August 12, 1861. SIR: I have received your letter of the 9th instant requesting instructions in reference to putting the trunnions, sight, and lock pieces on the steel guns you have engaged to make. In reply, the bureau authorizes you to use the breeching-strap plan contrived by Commander Dahlgren, and wishes you to understand that the welding or forging on the trunnions or other projectiles is not approved. The lock lugs and sight masses may be screwed on. While, as I explained to you, it would be impossible for the bureau to state the exact number of rifle cannon and howitzers required, I take this opportunity to repeat to you that a large number will be wanted, and as they are wanted directly, the establishment which can make them quickest and of good quality will have the most to do. The order will be renewed as soon as the bureau hears from you of the completion of each batch of five of the large guns, and it will be the same case in regard to the howitzers, provided you can carry on the work at both at the same time without retarding the delivery of the large guns, which will be most wanted. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, NORMAN WIARD, Esq., 136 East Thirty-third Street, New York. ANDREW A. HARWOOD, Chief of Bureau. BUREAU OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHY, NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington City, D. C, September 24, 1861. SIR: The bureau is informed by Captain Hitchcock that you have 17 howitzers forged already, and beg leave to inform you that there was no order for so large a quantity of that article. By verbal understanding you were to go on with these guns at the same time as the other guns, reporting when five were completed, that the bureau might give you directions when to stop. It was never contemplated to give an unlimited order for semi-steel howitzers. The number now on hand, if they be intended for the navy, requires explanation on your part, which the bureau begs you to furnish at your earliest convenience. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, NORMAN WIARD, Esq., 136 East Thirty-third Street, New York. ANDW. A. HARWOOD, NEW YORK, September 29, 1861. SIR: Your letter of the 24th instant, requiring explanation why I have 17 howitzers on hand, is received. I have found it even more difficult to make the howitzers than the large guns, from the projection of necessity forged upon them. Yet I have found it convenient to forge the number now on hand (that are forged, finished) during the time the large guns were going on, as I found the capacity of the forge greater than the capacity of the finishing shop. It was my intention when five were completed to have given you notice of their completion, and also of the number forged, and then to request your approval. That I had no doubt 4 CONTRACTS WITH NORMAN WIARD. of receiving, as one of your letters to me (August 12) mentioned "that a large number would be wanted." I had also been applied to by Captain Hitchcock for the pattern howitzer, when he expressed anxiety to get it, from which I inferred that howitzers were much wanted. Ten large guns are forged, and eight nearly completed. The projectiles, 500 hollow shot and 50 solid shot, (Hotchkiss,) for the 5.1 guns, are ready, and await the orders of the bureau. I have also made 100 solid shot (by direction of Captain Hitchcock) for the extreme test of one of the guns, that I expect is to commence early next week. It is expected to use each of them more than once to save expense, and from this consideration I have prepared to dig them out and recast the lead upon them as often as found advisable. I have prepared a triangle and necessary apparatus for this test, also by direction of Captain Hitchcock. I shall always endeavor to please, and hope you will communicate how far what I have done meets your approval. Respectfully, Captain ANDREW A. HARWOOD, NORMAN WIARD. Chief of Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography, Navy Department. BUREAU OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHY, NAVY DEPARTMENT, SIR: Herewith is inclosed a sketch showing the angle and position of vents of 12-pounde howitzers. Very respectfully, Mr. NORMAN WIARD, 136 East Thirty-third Street, New York. A. A. HARWOOD, BUREAU OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHY, NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington City, D. C., November 7, 1861. SIR: 1. Herewith is inclosed a sketch showing the manner and dimensions for bouching 12-pounder Dahlgren howitzer rifles; and you will have the work executed on all guns of that description made for the department. 2. A similar sketch for bouching 74-inch rifles will be forwarded as soon as possible. Very respectfully, NORMAN WIARD, Esq., New York. A. A. HARWOOD, BUREAU OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHY, NAVY DEPARTMENT, [Telegram for Norman Wiard, 136 East Thirty-third street, New York, November 11—4 p. m.] The carriages for a rifle howitzer go by express to-morrow to New York navy yard, and authority given to permit you to take them for pattern; likewise two sets of trunnion straps to you for 50-pounders, and eight more will follow, together with those for the 74-inch rifles. H. A. WISE, Assistant Inspector of Ordnance BUREAU OF Ordnance and HYDROGRAPHY, NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington City, D. C., December 7, 1861. SIR: The bureau has heard, through the public prints, that a semi-steel gun of Mr. Wiard's construction has failed under fire at the Washington arsenal, and as this department is interested in the matter, I have the honor to request that a copy of the report of trial may be furnished to this office. I am, with high respect, your obedient servant, ANDW. A. HARWOOD, Chief of Bureau of Ordnance and Hydrography. Brigadier General J. W. RIPLEY, U. S. A., Chief of Ordnance, Washington. In compliance with a resolution of the Senate of the 5th instant, information in relation to contracts with Norman Wiard for the fabrication and delivery of ordnance. MARCH 31, 1869.-Referred to the Committee on Naval Affairs. NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington, March 31, 1869. SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the resolution passed by the Senate on the 5th instant, directing that the Secretary of the Navy report to the Senate "what contracts, if any, have been entered into between that department and Norman Wiard for the fabri cation and delivery of ordnance or other arms since the 1st day of Jan uary, 1861; the terms and conditions of such contracts; how far such contracts have been fulfilled; how many guns have been delivered, and how much money has been paid him thereon; how much money, if any, is now due him on said contracts, or either of them; and all other information that will show the true nature, character, expense, and result of all transactions between the said Wiard and the Navy Department on the subject of ordnance." The resolution having been referred to the Bureau of Ordnance, I herewith submit a communication of this date from Rear-Admiral John A Dahlgren, the chief of that bureau, and the several papers accompanying it, which, it is believed, furnish the information called for by the Senate. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Hon. SCHUYLER COLFAX, A. E. BORIE, Secretary of the Navy. Vice-President of the United States and President of the Senate. No. 9.] BUREAU OF ORDNANCE, Navy Department, March 30, 1869. SIR: In compliance with the resolution of the Senate, March 5, 1869, transmitted to this bureau, I submit herewith copies of all the corre spondence between this bureau and Mr. Wiard, in relation to various accepted orders, 1861-1867. I also return the resolution of the Senate, and have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, J. A. DAHLGREN, Hon. A. E. BORIE, Secretary of the Navy. INDEX TO No. 1. Semi-steel howitzers. Bureau to Wiard, in reference to contract for semi-steel 12-pounder howitzers Bureau to Wiard, asking him to explain why he has already forged 17 howitzers; re- Bureau to General Ripley, relative to bursting of a Wiard semi-steel gun at the Wash- Wiard presents a bill for five semi-steel howitzers, with remarks Bureau replies to Mr. Wiard; it will accede to Mr. Wiard's request, provided, upon examination, no one of the howitzers has the defect disclosed by the bursting of the 50-pounder made from same material Wiard to bureau. Will submit cheerfully to any further examination of the howitzers the bureau may desire.. 5 Wiard makes another proposition to fabricate 100 or more, but not less than 50, 12pounder rifled semi-steel howitzers, &c... Bureau directs Commander Nicholson to inspect and prove the five semi-steel howitzers... Bureau asks Wiard to state precisely the price per pound he agreed to deliver the howitzers.. Wiard offers for sale a lot of howitzer equipments.. 8-9 Relative to deliveries, &c., of howitzer carriages and equipments 9-10 Bureau to Mr. H. L. Stuart, in relation to a pattern rifled howitzer loaned to Mr. 10 Mr. Beach, president of Farmers and Citizens' Bank of Long Island, in relation to 11 BUREAU OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHY, NAVY DEPARTMENT, SIR: I have received your letter of the 9th instant requesting instructions in reference to putting the trunnions, sight, and lock pieces on the steel guns you have engaged to make. In reply, the bureau authorizes you to use the breeching-strap plan contrived by Commander Dahlgren, and wishes you to understand that the welding or forging on the trunnions or other projectiles is not approved. The lock lugs and sight masses may be screwed on. While, as I explained to you, it would be impossible for the bureau to state the exact number of rifle cannon and howitzers required, I take this opportunity to repeat to you that a large number will be wanted, and as they are wanted directly, the establishment which can make them quickest and of good quality will have the most to do. The order will be renewed as soon as the bureau hears from you of the completion of each batch of five of the large guns, and it will be the same case in regard to the howitzers, provided you can carry on the work at both at the same time without retarding the delivery of the large guns, which will be most wanted. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, NORMAN WIARD, Esq., 136 East Thirty-third Street, New York. ANDREW A. HARWOOD, Chief of Bureau. BUREAU OF ORDNANCE AND HYDROGRAPHY, NAVY DEPARTMENT, Washington City, D. C, September 24, 1861. SIR: The bureau is informed by Captain Hitchcock that you have 17 howitzers forged already, and beg leave to inform you that there was no order for so large a quantity of that article. By verbal understanding you were to go on with these guns at the same time as the other guns, reporting when five were completed, that the bureau might give you directions when to stop. It was never contemplated to give an unlimited order for semi-steel howitzers. The number now on hand, if they be intended for the navy, requires explanation on your part, which the bureau begs you to furnish at your earliest convenience. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, NORMAN WIARD, Esq., 136 East Thirty-third Street, New York. ANDW. A. HARWOOD, NEW YORK, September 29, 1861. SIR: Your letter of the 24th instant, requiring explanation why I have 17 howitzers on hand, is received. I have found it even more difficult to make the howitzers than the large guns, from the projection of necessity forged upon them. Yet I have found it convenient to forge the number now on hand (that are forged, finished) during the time the large guns were going on, as I found the capacity of the forge greater than the capacity of the finishing shop. It was my intention when five were completed to have given you notice of their completion, and also of the number forged, and then to request your approval. That I had no doubt |