A fathom is 6 feet and is an old English unit used to measure length. It was also commonly used on ships to measure depth but now been overtaken my the metre. Its distance was derived from the outstretched arms of a large man; the tip of one middle finger to the tip of the other.
By SailingQuiz November 2019 Category: Sailing Terms
0 0 126 Back
No reviews or comments on "A fathom" yet. If you can see a problem or you want to add something to our explanation or you just want to let us know what you think, then click on the pen and papar icon above.
There are 423 other nautical phrases, sayings and sailing terms listed on this website today. "A fathom" is just one of them. Many have been around for years and have entered our everyday use; but do you know what they mean and where they came from? This is where you find out.
Why not use our sailing quiz to build your understanding of sailing terms and boat trivia whilst you tackle the questions designed to help you pass your next sailing course.
What does A fathom mean?
What is the nautical origin of the phrase "A fathom"?
Definition of the nautical phrase "A fathom".
Review SailingQuiz