Why is nautical speed measured in Knots?
A knot is a unit of speed that is roughly equal to one nautical mile per hour according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Knots are used around the world for maritime and aviation purposes. In the 17th Century, sailors measured ocean currents with a device called a chip log or common log. A coil of rope with knots spaced equally apart was attached to a piece of wood. The wooden panel was then placed in the water near the back of the boat and the rope was allowed to unwind freely for a specified length of time (30 seconds). When the time had lapsed, sailors would count the number of knots on the rope between the ship and the piece of wood. A ship’s speed or the strength of the current was said to be the number of knots counted. High-tech devices, like Global Positioning Systems (GPS), have replaced the common log, but the term knot is still used for navigation today. For more information on this topic, please visit: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administr
