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> He then nipped the line which
> caused the board to become more streamlined (parallel to the flow)  in the
> water and the line was reeled in. The number of knots counted equalled the
> speed.
>
> Is there a description somewhere that would tell me how to duplicate such a
> log?

It sounds to me as if you have all you need to know.  A few more details:
the "chip" is often a semicircle, with the round part down, and some lead
attached to the low point to help keep it mostly submerged and upright.
There are three attachment points: two form the bridle, and the third is
a peg.  The three help keep the chip perpendicular to the line, and the
peg pulls out when the line is "nipped", so it can be reeled in more easily.

The exact time for your sandglass isn't critical, but the spacing of the
knots has to be made to match.  I believe the classic sandglass was 28
seconds.  Leave some blank line so the chip can get settled and out of the
vessel's wake, then insert a starting mark (at which the man controlling
the line would shout, "Turn!"), and space the knots at 6080*t/3600 feet,
to measure nautical miles (6080 ft) per hour based on feet traveled in t
seconds. (Hope I got the formula right.)

        -- Bill

   

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