2006-07-09 01:44:07 · 8 answers · asked by Saudi Geoff 5 in Travel ➔ Other - Destinations
WOW....I was wondering the same thing....and also....the Conversion Table. This English Language must be so difficult for those who are trying to learn it.
Nautical Mile, Naut Mile? Knot Mile?
2, Two, To, Too funny.....
2006-07-09 02:35:04 · answer #1 · answered by gypsyworks 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The dictionary defines a knot as a unit of speed equal to one nautical mile per hour, where a nautical mile is 6,076.12 ft (1,852 m) in length. The following table provides conversions between knots and other common measurements used for velocity:
I believe that the term originated in the Netherlands sometime in the 1500s. Back in the days of sailing vessels, captains needed a method of measuring the speed of their ships through the water. One of the methods the Dutch had devised was the practice of tossing a piece of wood into the water and measuring how quickly it moved away from the ship, a concept called "Heaving the Log." but this is unfounded and more likely your answer is the Chip Log system, made up of a wooden weight tied to a reel of rope with knots tied in it at equal intervals. When the wooden weight was tossed overboard, the rope would be pulled out along with it. The faster the ship was traveling through the water, the more rope would be unwound from the reel. Sailors would simply count the number of knots that were pulled off the reel in a given amount of time, as determined by an hourglass, and that would determine the speed of the ship in "knots."
Happy sailing!
2006-07-09 08:48:17 · answer #2 · answered by Tim T 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
is it only speed which is measured in knots.. in times past, the sailor would drop a weighted rope into the sea, the rope would have knots every 6 feet.. the rope was let out over a measured time and the knots were counted
2006-07-09 08:48:51 · answer #3 · answered by greengunge 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
because they use to use a piece of string with knots tied in it to see how fast the ship was moving as there is no reference points on the sea they used to throw the line from the front of the ship and count the number of knots that it takes to reach the rear of the ship hence your speed in knots
2006-07-09 08:51:34 · answer #4 · answered by maidalexis 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think only speed is measured at knots
2006-07-09 08:47:09 · answer #5 · answered by jessicacalvey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
only speed is measured in knots. distance is measured in leagues. i don't know why though.
2006-07-09 08:50:52 · answer #6 · answered by englishwitch2005 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
distance used to be knot tied in rope
2006-07-13 17:22:06 · answer #7 · answered by cookedermott 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Because you are a smurf!
2006-07-09 08:47:58 · answer #8 · answered by g 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋