alt Hacker NewsThe way boats historically measured speed was by dragging a rope behind them. The rope has knots tied with exact spacing. You drop one end of the rope in the water, and count how many knots pass you in a given time. That's then your speed in knots.
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thaumasiotes • 04/01/2025
> You drop one end of the rope in the water, and count how many knots pass you in a given time.
Given that you're dragging the rope behind you, won't this number be zero?
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Using this method repeatedly to guess how far you've moved over the course of days is, historically, a fantastic way to crash into the side of France in the middle of the night.