First of two volumes, followed by Around the Moon.
After the American Civil War ends, the Baltimore Gun Club comes together. Impey Barbicane, club president, calls them to construct a cannon capable of shooting a projectile to the moon. Another meeting is held to decide the place for launch and the dimensions and materials for cannon, projectile and powder.
An enemy of Barbicane, Captain Nicholl of Philadelphia, declares the entire enterprise absurd and makes a series of bets with Barbicane over the impossibility of such a feat.
he first obstacle of funds to construct the giant cannon is raised from a number of countries in America and Europe. The U.S. gives four million dollars, while England does not give a farthing. In the end, nearly five and a half million dollars are raised, which ensures the project.
Stone's Hill in "Tampa Town," Florida, is chosen as the site for construction (predating Kennedy Space Centers placement by almost 100 years). The Gun Club starts the construction of the Columbiad cannon, a 900-foot-deep and 60-foot-wide circular hole, but a surprise awaits Barbicane: Michel Ardan, a French adventurer, plans to travel aboard the projectile.
In the end, the projectile is successfully launched, but the destinies of the three astronauts are left inconclusive...
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