Crossword clues for steeplejack
Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
Wiktionary
n. A person whose job involves climbing tall structures like steeples.
WordNet
n. someone who builds or maintains very tall structures
Wikipedia
A steeplejack is a craftsman who scales buildings, chimneys and church steeples to carry out repairs or maintenance.
Steeplejacks erect ladders on church spires, industrial chimneys, cooling towers, bell towers, clock towers, or any other high structure. In the UK, steeplejacks now use a belay rope fall-arrest system (similar to the method used by rock climbers) attached to the ladders as they are erected to eliminate free climbing and greatly reduce the risk of falls from height.
Once ladders have been erected, the next stage is usually to suspend a bosun's chair (a strong wooden plank on which the steeplejack can sit, pull himself upwards or lower himself downwards, or sit in a stationary position), but abseil equipment is replacing the bosun's chair on many operations because of its lighter weight.
Once this has been done it is possible to use this access to begin building scaffolding to carry out any repairs which may be required. This is done by fixing anchors into the wall (whether concrete, stone, or brick) and "kicking" the scaffolding off from there.
It is also possible to carry out repairs from "suspended access cradles". These are the same type of rig window cleaners use on skyscrapers. The cradle is suspended from four wires. Two of these run through an electric motor which can "climb" or "descend" the wire, and the other two run freely through a box which allows the cradle to travel upwards with no obstruction, but will stop it instantly if it starts to fall. These "suspended access cradles" are popularly called "swing stages" by their crews.
Steeplejacks are called upon to repair or replace masonry (brick, stone or concrete), carry out general carpentry or painting or roof repair, remove and clean and repair windows, as well as sandblasting and other masonry cleaning tasks.
In Ontario, Canada, many steeplejacks are represented by Local 598 of the OPCMIA union (Operative Plasterers, Cement masons and Restoration Steeplejacks International Association of the United States and Canada), and are required to complete a five-year apprenticeship.
In the UK steeplejack companies may be members of the industry association A.T.L.A.S (Association of Technical Lightning and Access Specialists). Britain's most famous steeplejack was Fred Dibnah, who became a television presenter and minor celebrity as a result of his craft.
Steeplejack is the name of three fictional characters appearing in American comic books published by Marvel Comics.
Steeplejack, in comics, may refer to:
- Steeplejack (Marvel Comics), a Marvel Comics character
- Steeplejack (Charlton Comics), a character from Charlton Comics
A steeplejack is a craftsman who is prepared to scale tall buildings and in particular church steeples to carry out general repairs.
Steeplejack may also refer to:
- Steeplejack Industrial, a Canadian scaffolding and industrial services company
- Steeplejack (Marvel Comics), a Marvel Comics character
Usage examples of "steeplejack".
Board of Public Works was responsible: as a single item in the general expenditure the weathercock of the Palace of Legislature had had voted to it a new coat of gilt, and this steeplejack was now engaged in putting it on.
As he ascended the marble staircase which led from the great hall toward the private apartments he was still thinking of the steeplejack, the man who somehow seemed now to be an emblem of himself.
When Steeplejack North was called upon to repair and maintain the highest reaches, pressure suits and breathing apparatuses were the order of the day.
The necromancer and Steeplejack North descended carefully to the level where they had lowered the body of the lindworm.
Somewhere above meperhaps at the very top of this tower, where the di Caela banner fluttered red and blue and white in the last hour before some steeplejack of a servant clambered up to lower it for the eveninga nightingale began its dark serenade of stars and moons.
The cardinal rule of the steeplejack, or water-tank mechanic, was to keep his brain in gear.
The Shadow any more than it would have worried a steeplejack, the task was otherwise easy.
Instead Dragosani respected his boss much as a steeplejack respects the higher rungs of his ladder.
And much like a steeplejack, he knew he could never afford to step back and admire his work.
It was not the right and dignified way for a royal accident to happen: falling down-stairs suggested the same failing as that to which steeplejacks were prone.
She and Ed had worked as steeplejacks together before they both moved down from the north in search of work.
I heard men beg for work who had been Egyptologists, botanists, surgeons, gold-miners, professors of Oriental languages, musicians, engineers, physicians, astronomers, anthropologists, chemists, mathematicians, mayors of cities and governors of states, prison warders, cow-punchers, lumberjacks, sailors, oyster pirates, stevedores, riveters, dentists, surgeons, painters, sculptors, plumbers, architects, dope peddlers, abortionists, white slavers, sea divers, steeplejacks, farmers, cloak and suit salesmen, trappers, lighthouse keepers, pimps, aldermen, senators, every bloody thing under the sun, and all of them down and out, begging for work for cigarettes, for carfare, for a chance, Christ Almighty, just another chance!
But I am amazed to find that there are Steeplejacks on the very roofs above the Library.
You’ll know where to hire men with ropes, steeplejacks, that sort of thing?