[USMA:37223] Re: Clive Cussler adventure novels

[James J. Wentworth]

A 1949 children's book I once had, "Perhaps I'll Be a Sailor," described nautical radar and the "supersonic fathometer," as the depth-finding instrument was called.  I think the adjective "supersonic" referred to the fact that the speed of sound in water is higher than in air.   --  Jason ----- Original Message ----- From: J. Ward To: U.S. Metric Association Cc: U.S. Metric Association Sent: Wednesday, August 16, 2006 1:28 PM Subject: [USMA:37220] Re: Clive Cussler adventure novels Norman & Nancy Werling wrote: I just began reading "White Death" published in 2003 in which his new hero used the term "fathometer."  Jim Frysinger may be the most likely to know if there has ever been and if there continues to be such an instrument to measure depth. The instrument that uses sonar to measure water depth is usually called a "depth sounder," at least in the U.S.  I have never heard the term "fathometer," but my dictionary says it's a trademark.