Technology and Operations
This forum is for discussing technological & operational matters pertaining to U-boats.
RE: Admiralty mile
Posted by:
AL Wellman
()
Date: September 25, 2000 06:13PM
Andrew -
Historically, the nautical mile has several definitions, and you are correct for at least one of them -- which holds the nautical mile equal to one minute of arc on a great circle of the earth. That distance would vary with location, since the earth is not a perfect sphere. Your point about differences between English and American measures is also well taken. I understand the British used an "Admiralty mile" of 6080 feet, while the Americans initially used 6080.2 feet and now use 1852 meters (which we persist in interpreting as 6076.115 feet). I find 2000 yards much easier to remember, and I can assure you two decimal places is fully adequate for the comparisons you were making. =AL=
Historically, the nautical mile has several definitions, and you are correct for at least one of them -- which holds the nautical mile equal to one minute of arc on a great circle of the earth. That distance would vary with location, since the earth is not a perfect sphere. Your point about differences between English and American measures is also well taken. I understand the British used an "Admiralty mile" of 6080 feet, while the Americans initially used 6080.2 feet and now use 1852 meters (which we persist in interpreting as 6076.115 feet). I find 2000 yards much easier to remember, and I can assure you two decimal places is fully adequate for the comparisons you were making. =AL=