tons of snapper

how many feet is 29 fathoms

jim t

Fathom = 6 feet

29 Fathoms = 174 feet

I believe it came from wooden ships when they would throw a line with lead tied to it overboard to determine the depth of water. Knots would be tied every 6 feet so it would be relatively easy to count.

Same principal for speed. To determine speed on a ship a small log would be tossed over with a line attached. As the log floated back the line would pay out. Knots were tied in the line at specific intervals. After a specific time period the knots would be counted. So the ship was doing 7 knots if 7 of those tied knots passed through the handin that time period.

Hence the term "log" for journals in the Navy. They would note the speed of the floating log at specific intervals in a journalto help with the old fashioned "DR" or "dead reckoning" navigation. They would estimate (surprisingly well) their position on a chart simply based on time, speed and direction.

And hence the term "I reckon..." as it means "I guess..."

Those old wooden boat,tall ship sailors were TRUE seamen!!!:letsdrink:letsdrink:letsdrink

Jim

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GO GATORS!!!

tons of snapper

thanks for all the info