Might not the usage of fathoms for measuring shaft depths come initially
from the rope manufacturers who normally supplied rope for maritime
purposes.??
----- Original Message -----
From: "sougher" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Thursday, August 21, 2008 5:51 AM
Subject: mining-nautical terminology
Hi List,
Coming from one of the country's most land locked counties i.e. Derbyshire,
it's interesting to note that lead miners there also measured the depths of
their mines and shafts in fathoms. I know that it must have come about
because of the constant migration of miners between Derbyshire and Cornwall,
and visa versa (also other mining areas of the UK as many mining words are
common throughout), but I've often wondered when this measurement was first
used in Derbyshire. Jim Rieuwerts in his "Glossary of Derbyshire Lead
Mining Terms" says that "shaft depths were usually quoted in fathoms from
the surface, not as in Cornwall, from the horizon of the adit". Nellie
Kirkham in her "Derbyshire Lead Mining Glossary" CRG 1949, gives an
alterative word of Faddom for a Fathom. Has anyone the answer?
Margaret Howard
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