In article ,
says...
If I remember correctly, the metre was defined as "one ten-millionth of the
length of the earth's meridian along a quadrant (one-fourth the polar
circumference of the earth)." That seems quite sensible to me. The fact that
"imperial" measurements are still used for air and sea travel is due to
history, international convention, and the danger involved in changing. But
it will happen someday (probably when computers rule all transportation, and
measurements become irrelevant).

In the meantime, I am happy to weigh a kilo of water when I can't find my
measuring jug, and know I have a litre (or vice-versa). Care to do the same
with imperial meaures?

--
Jeff
(cut "thetape" to reply)


You miss the point, yes the meter was supposed to be 1 millionth of the
earths circumference (but they got it wrong so it is in fact a totally
arbitrary amount) and I use only metres at home. but a nautical mile is a
rotational measurement and is defined as the distance at the equator of
1' of longitude, and since there are 60 min in a degree and 60 sec in a
min you can see the advantage a of a distance that comes out at roughly
6000 feet! (the earth not being perfectly round it actually varies
depending on where you are) further more a fathom at 6 feet also neatly
divided but the hydrographic office quite sensibly changed depths on
charts over to meters back in the 1970's to avoid grounding accidents as
a lot of other countries use uk charts but they did not change the
distance scales and never will as latitude and longitude is the best way
of defining your position in an empty ocean
--
Charlie Pridham, Gardening in Cornwall
www.roselandhouse.co.uk
Holders of national collections of Clematis viticella cultivars and
Lapageria rosea