capstanman

Telford constructed the 570-ft. span suspension bridge across the Menai Straits, 100 ft. above high water level. … The catenary chains, in four groups of four, are made of Staffordshire iron brought by canal to Chester and thence by steamship; they were erected by ferrying one end across the Straits on a raft and then pulling up with rope-blocks and capstans, with the capstanmen kept in step by music.