human
The sides will require a thickness of less than two inches.
gpt
Will that be enough?
human
Clearly not!
gpt
What is to be done, then?
human
Employ another metal instead of iron.
gpt
Copper?
human
No; that would be too heavy. I have better than that to offer.
gpt
What then?
human
Aluminium!
gpt
Aluminium?
human
Unquestionably, my friends. This valuable metal possesses the whiteness of silver, the indestructibility of gold, the tenacity of iron, the fusibility of copper, the lightness of glass. It is easily wrought, is very widely distributed, forming the base of most of the rocks, is three times lighter than iron, and seems to have been created for the express purpose of furnishing us with the material for our projectile.
gpt
But, my dear president, said the major,
human
It was so at its first discovery, but it has fallen now to nine dollars the pound.
gpt
But still, nine dollars the pound! replied the major, who was not willing readily to give in;
human
Undoubtedly, my dear major; but not beyond our reach.
gpt
What will the projectile weigh then?
human
Here is the result of my calculations, replied Barbicane.
gpt
A shot of 108 inches in diameter, and 12 inches in thickness, would weigh, in cast-iron, 67,440 lbs.; cast in aluminium, its weight will be reduced to 19,250 lbs.
human
Capital! cried the major;
gpt
One hundred and seventy-three thousand and fifty dollars ($173,050). I know it quite well. But fear not, my friends; the money will not be wanting for our enterprise, I will answer for it. Now what say you to aluminium, gentlemen?
human
Adopted!