Understanding Fathoms: A Unit of Length Used in Navigation and Engineering

Fathom is a unit of length used in navigation and engineering. It is defined as the distance traveled by a ship's anchor chain, which is typically 100 feet (30 meters) long. Therefore, one fathom is equal to 6 feet (1.8 meters).

The word "fathom" has been used since the Middle Ages to measure the depth of water, and it is still commonly used in maritime contexts today. For example, a ship might be said to have a draft of 15 fathoms, meaning that it is 15 times 6 feet (or 90 feet) deep.

In addition to its use in navigation, "fathom" has also been used figuratively to describe something that is difficult to understand or grasp. For example, someone might say that a complex problem is "beyond my fathom," meaning that they cannot comprehend it.