tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21243706.post115587855121822188..comments2024-03-03T13:31:00.404+00:00Comments on Musings of a Literary Doctor: Literary Snippet – Mark TwainRobert Jaggs-Fowlerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11077520899202583525noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21243706.post-1155880543680163482006-08-18T06:55:00.000+01:002006-08-18T06:55:00.000+01:00I have now referred to the Admiralty Manual of Sea...I have now referred to the Admiralty Manual of Seamanship – Volume 1 – dated 1964. Interestingly, this was standard issue at Dartmouth in 1968 and still contained a wealth of information more applicable to square riggers than ‘modern’ warships!! Now whilst there is no guarantee that Riverboats followed the guidance of the Admiralty Manual of Seamanship!!, it is highly likely that the system described therein was a reflection of custom and practice throughout the world for centuries.<BR/><BR/>In essence, my explanation was right – in that the two fathom mark would be called “by the mark – two” The reason for this is that on the original lead line, certain depths were literally marked with different things. 2 fathoms was two strips of leather, 3 fathoms was three strips, 5 fathoms was white duck material, 7 fathoms was red bunting.<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>All the fathom markers which were so marked were announced as “by the mark”. All the intervening (unmarked) ones were announced as “by the deep”.<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>Thus, two fathoms was, indeed, “by the mark” since that depth was marked with the two strips of leather. Four fathoms (unmarked) would have been “by the deep – 4”<BR/><BR/> <BR/><BR/>So – “by the mark – two” – could easily have been shortened to “mark twain” – couldn’t it??!<BR/><BR/>HarlequinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com