

Hemyock Castle

Glossary of Nautical Measures - Lengths

The definition, meaning and origin of nautical length measurements.

Page Contents:

Lengths - Nautical:

Due to the very nature of nautical life and its sometimes harsh conditions, measurements tended to be practical rather than theoretical. Definitions varied in different countries and in different reference books.

The "Cable" causes much confusion, partly due to the method of cable construction and by its use as a measure of distance.

The heaviest UK RN cable-laid anchor cables were constructed by twisting together 3 hawser-laid ropes (clockwise); each hawser-laid rope was constructed by twisting together 3 ropes (anti-clockwise). This repeated twisting produced very strong water-laid cables which absorbed little water. Each stage of twisting reduced the length of the cable.

Manufacture of a 100 fathom cable would require 3 x 120 fathom hawsers. Each hawser would require 3 x 150 fathom ropes.

In 1830, the UK Admiralty defined the following:


6 feet. Man's arm span, finger tip to finger tip. Also used as a verb: To measure the depth of; to get to the bottom of, to understand.

Shackle of cable (UK RN, old):

12½ fathoms. Length of a section of (anchor) chain. (Used until 1949).

Shot or shackle of cable:

15 fathoms. Length of a section of (anchor) chain between joining shackles or swivels.

Scope of cable:

The length of (anchor) cable paid-out. Measured by counting shackles. Approx 5 times depth of water, depending on conditions.

Cable (UK RN and Germany):

0.1 nautical mile. Approx 101 fathoms.

Metric Cable (France and Spain):

200 metres. Approx. 109 fathoms.

Cable (USA):

120 fathoms.

Other Cables:

Russia: 100 fathoms.
Holland: 123 fathoms.
Portugal: 141 fathoms.

Nautical mile (international):

1852 metres (approx 6076 feet).

Nautical mile (UK RN, old):

6080 feet. 10 cables. After 1970, Admiralty charts were changed to use the 1852 metre international nautical mile.

Nautical league:

3 nautical miles.

Some Useful Reference Books:

See also: Interesting web site about HMS Victory.

Other Hemyock Glossaries:


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