did you know
A ship's speed is measured in knots because this unit has been used historically in navigation and is closely linked to maritime traditions. The term comes from a method that sailors used to determine speed at sea.
In the past, sailors used a device called a log line, a rope with evenly placed knots. This rope was thrown into the water, and as the ship moved, the number of knots passed through a sailor's hands in a given period of time (usually 30 seconds) was counted. The knots counted gave the ship's speed in “knots”.
One knot is equal to one nautical mile per hour. Nautical miles are based on the Earth's circumference and are more practical for navigation because they relate to the geographical makeup of the planet. One nautical mile is equal to one minute of width, i.e. 1.852 kilometers. The use of knots provides consistency and precision in shipping and aviation and has therefore become established as a standard for speed measurements at sea and in the air.
In the past, sailors used a device called a log line, a rope with evenly placed knots. This rope was thrown into the water, and as the ship moved, the number of knots passed through a sailor's hands in a given period of time (usually 30 seconds) was counted. The knots counted gave the ship's speed in “knots”.
One knot is equal to one nautical mile per hour. Nautical miles are based on the Earth's circumference and are more practical for navigation because they relate to the geographical makeup of the planet. One nautical mile is equal to one minute of width, i.e. 1.852 kilometers. The use of knots provides consistency and precision in shipping and aviation and has therefore become established as a standard for speed measurements at sea and in the air.
