Cable length
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. Due to anachronisms and varying techniques of measurement, a cable length can be anywhere from 169 to 220 metres, depending on the standard used. The unit is named after the length of a ship's anchor cable in the Age of Sail.
The definition varies:
- International: 185.2 m, equivalent to nautical mile
- Imperial : 185.32 m, or nautical mile, about 101 fathoms
- * The traditional British fathom varied from in the Merchant Navy, making the "historical" cable 169 m to 215.5 m.
- U.S. customary : 219.5 metres, 120 fathoms
