What Is This Tool?
This unit converter enables users to transform measurements from the US survey fathom, commonly used in nautical and hydrographic contexts, into the obsolete or regional reed unit. It helps interpret historical, maritime, and legal documents employing these units.
How to Use This Tool?
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Enter the length value expressed in fathoms (US survey).
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Select 'fathom (US survey) [fath]' as the input unit.
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Choose 'reed' as the output unit.
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Click convert to see the equivalent length in reeds.
Key Features
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Converts lengths from the US survey fathom (fath) to the reed unit quickly and accurately.
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Useful for maritime, hydrographic, and historical research purposes involving legacy measurements.
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Browser-based tool requiring no downloads or installations.
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Supports interpretation of traditional and obsolete units for archival and ethnographic analysis.
Examples
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5 fathoms (US survey) converts to approximately 3.33334 reeds using the factor 0.666668.
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10 fathoms (US survey) equals about 6.66668 reeds by applying the conversion rate.
Common Use Cases
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Recording water depths and line lengths in nautical and hydrographic applications.
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Analyzing historical or regional land records and maps featuring obsolete units like the reed.
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Reconciling legacy survey data using US survey units with modern or international measurements.
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Supporting ethnographic or archaeological studies of traditional measurement systems.
Tips & Best Practices
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Verify the context of measurements since the reed varies by region and historical period.
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Be aware of differences between the US survey fathom and the international fathom when integrating data.
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Use the tool primarily for historical, maritime, or cultural research, as the reed is largely obsolete.
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Cross-check converted values with original records when precision matters in legal or archival work.
Limitations
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The reed's length varies depending on locality and era, potentially causing conversion uncertainty.
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Slight differences exist between the US survey fathom and the international fathom unit.
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The reed is an outdated measurement and is seldom used in modern contexts outside specialized research.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is a fathom (US survey) used for?
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The US survey fathom is primarily used for measuring water depths, anchor cables, and mooring lines in nautical and hydrographic contexts.
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Why is the reed considered an obsolete unit?
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The reed is obsolete because its exact length varied by place and time, and modern measurements have standardized more consistent units.
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Can I use this conversion for precise legal or archaeological measurements?
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This conversion helps interpret historical data, but due to varying reed lengths and fathom definitions, cross-checking is advised for precise work.
Key Terminology
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US survey fathom (fath)
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A non-SI length unit equal to 6 US survey feet, used in nautical and hydrographic measurements such as water depth.
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Reed
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An obsolete or regional length unit varying by locality and historical period, traditionally based on the length of a reed plant or measuring rod.
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Conversion Rate
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The factor used to multiply a value in fathoms to obtain the equivalent length in reeds (1 fathom = 0.666668 reeds).