Cable length: Difference between revisions
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* International: 185.2 [[metre|m]], equivalent to {{frac|10}} [[nautical mile]] | * International: 185.2 [[metre|m]], equivalent to {{frac|10}} [[nautical mile]] | ||
* [[Imperial units|UK traditional]]: {{convert|100|fathom}}, though | * [[Imperial units|UK traditional]]: {{convert|100|fathom}}, though the [[British Admiralty|Admiralty]] used {{frac|1|10}} of a sea mile, 1 minute of latitude locally. | ||
* [[United States customary units|US customary]] ([[United States Navy|US Navy]]): {{convert|120|fathom}}{{sfn|Fenna|2002}} | * [[United States customary units|US customary]] ([[United States Navy|US Navy]]): {{convert|120|fathom}}{{sfn|Fenna|2002}} | ||
In 2008 the [[Royal Navy]] in a handbook defined it as {{quote|text=A cable equals one-tenth of a sea mile | In 2008 the [[Royal Navy]] in a handbook defined it as follows: | ||
{{quote|text=A cable equals one-tenth of a sea mile – 608 ft. The length of a ship's hempen anchor cable was formerly 101 fathoms. 100 fathoms = 1 cable 10 cables = 1 nautical mile (very nearly){{sfn|Royal Navy|2007}}}} | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 11:35, 13 August 2025
Template:Short description Template:Infobox unit A cable length or length of cable is a nautical unit of measure equal to one tenth of a nautical mile or approximately 100 fathoms. Owing to anachronisms and varying techniques of measurement, a cable length can be anywhere from Script error: No such module "convert"., depending on the standard used.
Etymology and origin
The modern word cable is directly descended from the Middle English cable, cabel or kabel and also occurs in Middle Dutch and Middle German. Ultimately the word comes from Romanic, probably from a cattle halter.Template:Sfn A cable in this usage cable is a thick rope or by transference a chain cable.Template:Sfn The OED gives quotations from c. Template:TrimScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". onwards. A cable's length (often "cable length" or just "cable") is simply the standard length in which cables came, which by 1555 had settled to around Script error: No such module "convert". or Script error: No such module "convert"..Template:Sfn
Traditionally rope is made on long ropewalks, the length of which determines the maximum length of rope it is possible to make. As rope is "closed" (the final stage in manufacture) the length reduces, thus the ropewalk at Chatham Dockyard is Script error: No such module "convert". long in order to produce standard Script error: No such module "convert". coils.Template:Sfn
Definition
The definition varies:
- International: 185.2 m, equivalent to <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄10 nautical mile
- UK traditional: Script error: No such module "convert"., though the Admiralty used <templatestyles src="Fraction/styles.css" />1⁄10 of a sea mile, 1 minute of latitude locally.
- US customary (US Navy): Script error: No such module "convert".Template:Sfn
In 2008 the Royal Navy in a handbook defined it as follows:
References
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Citations
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".. Also "fathom", from the same work (pp. 88–89, retrieved 12 January 2017).
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". Various subpages within the ropery section.
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- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1"..