Cable length - Definition and Overview

A cable length is a nautical unit of measure, for which at least four definitions seem to exist:

• Common definition: 1/10 nautical mile, i.e. 185.2 m.
• "Ordinary" definition: 100 fathoms, i.e. 182.88 m.
• US Navy definition: 120 fathoms, i.e. 219.456 m.
• Royal Navy definition: 608 feet, i.e. 185.3184 m.

The unit is named after the length of a ship's "cable". Needless to say, the cable length as a unit of measure must be considered to be archaic, and very imprecise.