The adage turns out to be true – never saddle a dead horse. If you really want to know more about wire rope rigging, the US Navy has you covered.

This video takes you up into the trees where rope rigging is done with precision and skill. Watch as experts handle multiple tasks at once, rigging ropes high above the ground with ease.

An 18th century first rate ship of the line would need around 31 miles of rope, 20 miles for its rigging alone. At its height the dockyard employed over 10,000 workers. The yarn used to be created ...