Fathom to the Old High German word "fadum" meaning embracing arms or a pair of outstretched arms. In Middle English it was "fathme". The Ancient Greek measure known as the orguia (, "orgyiá", "outstretched") is usually translated as "fathom". By the Byzantine period, this unit came in two forms: a "simple orguia" (, "haplē orguiá") roughly equivalent to the old Greek fathom (6 Byzantine feet, m) and an "imperial" (, "basilikē") or "geometric orguia" (, "geōmetrikē orguiá") that was one-eighth longer (6 feet and a span, m). One fathom is equal to: In the international yard and pound agreement of 1959
Three Fathom Harbour, Nova Scotia entry points for salt water to run into Porter's Lake. The Canal end at the south of Porters Lake was a popular cottage area. The Three Fathom Harbour Road, was originally the main road, with a side road to Lower Three Fathom Harbour. The original Three Fathom Harbour school was on the west end of the "cove" along Three Fathom Harbour Road. Today it serves as a family home. Highway 207 was built and later paved in approximately 1960 and became the main road through the community. There are still fewer homes built along that route than on the Three