Working high overhead: Steeplejacks
This photograph, which appeared in the Daily Herald in 1934, shows a group of steeplejacks—workers with specialised knowledge of how to work high above the ground.
These photographs help us understand how tradespeople shaped 20th-century Britain. Named for their historical work with ecclesiastical buildings, ‘steeplejacks’ assess, maintain, and construct tall buildings, structures and towers
Tools of a trade
Until well into the 20th century, steeplejacks were mainly itinerant labourers who relied on acrobatic skills and showmanship to earn a living. Check out W.E. Mackney performing for the crowd below! He claimed to be the heaviest man to climb the flagstaff at Westminster Abbey.
Ladders and dogs
The basic tools of a steeplejack’s trade remain recognisable even in the 21st century. These two steeplejacks are using a system of ladders and ropes lashed to ‘dogs’ (metal anchors) to replace the weathercock on St James’ Church, Bristol.
Daily Herald Photograph: Steeplejacks demolishing a church spireNational Science and Media Museum
Scaffolding
Scaffolding, either simple or elaborate, is another essential tool that provides a foothold or suspension point. These two steeplejacks stand braced on simple wood scaffolding while demolishing the St Mary Magdalene church steeple at Colchester, Essex.
Bosun’s chair
A bosun’s chair is perhaps the most iconic tool of a steeplejack’s trade. These simple wooden seats are suspended by rope from buildings, ladders or scaffolding. Adjustments to the ropes enable a skilled steeplejack to quickly scale structures.
Monuments to industry
Fuelled by the industrial boom of the 19th century, giant chimneys increasingly dominated urban skylines. Steeplejacks found steady employment on these monuments to industry—like the 310ft (94m) chimneys at Fulham Power Station on the banks of the River Thames.
Repairing brickwork
Brickwork chimneys—typical of Britain’s industrial age—require near-constant upkeep to keep them water-tight, efficient and safe. These two steeplejacks are inspecting for damaged bricks and carrying out repairs at the Newton and Ayr gasworks in Scotland.
Daily Herald Photograph: Two steeplejacks in bosun's chairsNational Science and Media Museum
These two steeplejacks, suspended in bosun’s chairs, are probably repointing the brickwork to prevent water seepage. Differences in the colour of the mortar show their progress.
Daily Herald Photograph: Steeplejack Painting Battersea Power Station Daily Herald Photograph: Steeplejack Painting Battersea Power Station (1962-10-23) by Randle, BrianNational Science and Media Museum
Painting chimneys
Even after concrete replaced brick as the favoured medium for building chimneys, steeplejacks remained in demand for essential maintenance. The men in these photos are painting the four chimneys at Battersea Power Station.
Daily Herald Photograph: Steeplejack Painting Battersea Power StationNational Science and Media Museum
Each chimney requires a 110-gallon coat of a special rubberised paint that must be applied every 5 years as essential protection from the weather. Here, Harry Walker is completing the crucial work on a tight 3-week schedule. He had to reschedule his honeymoon to get it done!
Daily Herald Photograph: Repair and restoration of the Albert Memorial in LondonNational Science and Media Museum
Post-war restorations
Damage from the Second World War fuelled the building industry to new heights. For many trades, this meant building houses, offices and other major infrastructure. For steeplejacks, bomb damage meant highly skilled restorations. This steeplejack is repairing the Albert Memorial.
Lightning rod inspection
A. Barrett, the clerk for works for the Albert Memorial, examines the lightning conductor on top of a column. Some steeplejacks specialise in lightning rod installation and maintenance.
Daily Herald Photograph: Steeplejacks cleaning the face of Big BenNational Science and Media Museum
Maintaining monuments
Regular maintenance on monuments also requires a steeplejack’s specialised skills—even washing windows is far from mundane when completed from a bosun’s chair hundreds of feet in the air! These steeplejacks are cleaning Big Ben, 316ft (96m) above Parliament Square, London.
Training the next generation
Demand for steeplejacks continued to increase throughout the 20th century as buildings, chimneys and other infrastructure grew ever taller. By the 1960s, demand outstripped supply. One Brixton-based firm, F.E. Beaumont, tried to fill the gap and pass on their outstanding safety record with a new training school.
21st-century steeplejacks avail of new materials and lightweight abseil equipment to make their work safer, but the specialised tasks they perform largely remain the same.
Next time you’re out for a walk, remember to look up. You just might spot a steeplejack at work!
All images are from the Science Museum Group collection. Copyright Mirrorpix, Hulton Archive/Getty Images, and TopFoto.
