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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ovinomancer" data-source="post: 8122102" data-attributes="member: 16814">A ton would be 2,000 lbs.  A tonne would be 1,000 kgs.  It would also just be a measure of weight, not volume.  Volume is a consideration, but weight is the important thing.  You don't care about the displacement of cargo because it's not floating on it's own (yet).  It's the ship's displacement that matters.  If you add weight to the ship, it's volume is fixed, so you alter the ship's displacement.  Exceed the equivalent displacement of water and you sink.  Your cargo may then float, but it's not the concern.  So, weight of cargo is the more important value.  This is why ships that took on lighter, more voluminous cargo would also take on additional ballast -- to keep tge ship's displacement within operational limits. Too light and you easily capsize; too heavy and you swamp.</blockquote>