Certainly! Georgian-era naval logs, like those used on the HMS Merlin, were essential tools for navigation, recording vital data that helped officers maintain situational awareness at sea. Here's a more detailed breakdown of the context and practices surrounding H, K, and F: (Thank you Chatgpt!)

H – Hour
Usage: Marked the specific time an observation was made or a record was updated.
Context: Timekeeping was crucial on ships, especially for navigation. Officers relied on sandglasses or marine chronometers (if available) to measure the passing of time.
Example Entry: "H 12 – Noon observation taken; latitude observed 45°N."
Why Important: Accurate timekeeping allowed for longitude calculation when paired with celestial observations and charts.
K – Knots
Usage: Recorded the speed of the vessel.
How Measured: The ship's speed was determined using the log line, a simple device:
A weighted wooden board (the "log") was attached to a line with evenly spaced knots.
The log was thrown overboard and remained stationary in the water.
As the ship moved away, the line paid out over a fixed time interval (measured with a sandglass, usually 30 seconds).
The number of knots that passed overboard determined the speed in nautical miles per hour.
Example Entry: "K 6 – Sailing at 6 knots heading NW by N."
F – Fathoms
Usage: Recorded the depth of water or the length of anchor cable deployed.
How Measured:
Depth was measured using a lead line, a weighted rope with depth markings (fathoms) and tallow on the end to bring up a sample of the seabed (useful for determining anchorage quality).
Anchor cables were also measured in fathoms to track how much line was paid out.
Example Entry: "F 15 – Sounded at 15 fathoms; sandy bottom."
Why Important: Shallow water posed a grounding risk, and good anchorage depended on depth and seabed type.

wow.. a 250 year old ship log made of slate. what an awesome find! must feel great uncovering a piece of history like that!

Don't know why this channel doesn't have two-hundred-fifty thousand subscriber's but the videos never get old.

Brilliant! 😊  As an RN officer of 30 years vintage (ie, old and weathered!) I've entered countless log entries for very many watches on the bridge of a variety of HM Ships from small patrol vessels to aircraft carrier... in pencil.  So this slate log resonates with me, as does the area of the foreshore where you found it, especially as I studied in the RN College Greenwich, was married there and lived near Blackheath for many years. H K F = Hours (run)  Knots (speed as measured by the log) Fathoms (depth under the keel)  Careening was actually the 'evolution' (operational manoeuvre) of heeling a ship to port or starboard by shifting heavy loads topside (eg canon) to expose the opposite portion of hull which needed to be worked on (inspecting, repairs, cleaning, yes scraping off barnacles etc).  Occasionally the careening went horribly wrong - HMS ROYAL GEORGE being the most catastrophic example: an accident in which some 900 souls perished, including Rear Admiral Richard Kempenfelt, who drowned in his cabin as the ship flooded and sank in Portsmouth harbour. I have to admit to having innocently chucked or dropped some odd bits and pieces into the Thames from a few of HM Ships, thus inadvertently adding to the "treasure" for future mudlarkers to find.  That would have been in the ranks of Midshipman, Sub Lieutenant and Lieutenant (pronounced LEFtenant in the UK, not LOOtenant as in the US) - I wouldn't have ditched stuff overboard in more senior ranks and in any case, my seagoing days gave way to staff jobs thereafter!   Happy mudlarking!

OMGoodness Nicola 😮
You were able to not only find the ships slate pieces but also see actual logs from that exact ship 😮
You are an amazing mudlark and researcher of your finds.  Thank you so very much.  I really truly enjoyed this video 😃

The little crab critter at 07.30 was probably living the dream under that hotel pottery.

the HMS Merlin sank at the battle of Fort Mifflin in the Delaware River just below Philadelphia Pa. as the continentals were trying to keep the British Navy from entering the port of Philly to supply the British army who was then in control of the city. The two ships lost were the HMS Augusta and the HMS Merlin

I have decided, with nothing more than YouTube, that you must be one of the kindest people in the world. After six decades I have known a few. Blessings to you and all you hold dear.

Hi Nicola. HKF  H is hours K is knots and F is fathoms. So K and F is the distance run in that hour. The ships log was towed behind in the water and measured the distance run. so 3 and 5 in the K and F columns would be 3 nautical miles and there are 8 fathoms in a knot so 5 would be 5/8 of a nm (3.625nm).

A classic video... letting us go with you on a lark.  For those of us who are housebound, the wind and mud is great to experience vicariously.  Thank you.

Your love of history makes you channel so much more interesting. You don't stop with finding, you have to research your find. We love you Nicola. ❤

Thank you for the good wishes you impart on us in each video. It’s very kind of you.  You will never know how much pleasure you bring to an old American woman with ties to London from the 1600’s.  I also enjoy seeing you with Si, he’s a very entertaining guy.

Happy Belated Birthday to the Queen of Mudlarks! Nathan from Chicago

You should ask the Museum if they would be interested in the slate. It would be a good match with the ship’s log book

1.Three sheets to the wind 2. pipe down 3. Know the ropes 4. All hands 5. Batten down the hatches 6. Keel over 7. Loose cannons 8. Above board 9. No room to swing a cat 10. Over the barrel 11. Pooped 12. Press into service 13. Sailing close to the wind 14. Scuttlebutt 15. Show one's true colors 16. Slush fund There are so many maritime sayings we use in regular conversation. Although, I wonder if they will continue as the newer generations seemed to have more conversations online and condensed. So maybe the time for colorful phrases will be lost in preference for condensing our conversations into the bare minimum.

Naval ships would carry a small " jolly boat" used to transfer sailors to dry land without the ship having to dock, for example if they were given leave. Thus the saying " going on a jolly" for taking leave or going to a conference not involving much work.
Thanks for the video and for asking about us. I'm going into retirement at the end of the year.
And a late happy birthday!

I love how you research the pieces you find and tell us the stories.

Hi Nicola, the choice was endless , With a single Sixpence you could buy a shave and dressing one's wig, a pound of local cheese, or you could have your chimney swept. 😂

Hello Nicola…..Ahoy!….”a hoi”….was used to call small boats moving up and down the Netherlands coast fetching and carrying goods…”hoi” is the Dutch word for “hello”

Imagine you thanking us. you are a breath of fresh air and an awesome story teller.  Thank you