A fathom is the distance between the outstretched arms of a tall mane from middle finger on one hand to middle finger on the other hand. About six feet. To fathom out is to measure something and for sailors that usually means the depth of water. This was done by swinging a lead weight on the end of a knotted rope (swinging the lead) and dropping it into the sea to get the depth.
By SailingQuiz November 2019 Category: Nautical Saying
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