We need to remember how each of these measurements are usually applied. The 'fathom' is typically used for depth measurement (unless depth in metres are used), but most
charts, irrespective of the depth measure, use the Nautical Mile as the distance measure, of which a Cable is 1/10th of the Nautical Mile as previously discussed.
The only situation I have ever used 'Cable' is measuring distances between ships at sea while stationkeeping, or when reporting the distance to run in a ship to a defined anchorage position or to a calculated position for '
wheel over' when manoevring a ship, having regard to the ship's 'advance and 'transfer' when turning.
(ex Royal
Australian Navy)