crossword problem - still!

[deanna]

Thanks 'paulz' - still puzzled - 'Ask Jeeves' seems to have my guess on 'How Many'? a Dictionary of Units measurement. They mention 'SHOT' as something to do with anchor chain measurement - a long shot(if you pardon the pun) probably means I won't win the crossword prize though. Thanks anyway. deanna

[paulz]

Deanna - you're welcome, I think you are right, it is shot. At the risk of boring the whatsits off you, in the days of sailing ships, they would use a length of rope marked at intervals to find the depth of water below the ship. At the end was a bit of lead, which had a hollow end filled with tallow [sort of sticky lard] when the weight hit the sea bed, whatever was on it [sand/shingle/mud etc] would stick in to the tallow, so they knew how well the anchor would hold. At the risk of anoraking you to death the sailor doing this [while the others were working their butts off] was thoughht to have a cushy job - hence "swinging the lead" Hope you win girl! ;+)