From a framework with two wide crosstrees of near equal length they became shorter as described above, the foremost in particular in order for the shroud to clear the braced yard. Also the everincreasing height of mastheads required very long backstays to the topgallant, royal and skysail hounds, of such a length that they could not easily be kept taut without undue strain. To increase their effective angles, spreaders were angled outwards from across the crosstrees to touch each backstay in line, and hold them a little further out by means of cleats. They were usually held in these cleats by seizings or locking pins. Spreaders did not become common until the second half of the century, however .

  They were stiffened by cross-bracings either straight across or diagonally, which had to clear braces from mizzen, topgallant and royal yards which sometimes led to the main topmast trestle trees.

  The running rigging of American ships was often envied by British seamen because it was lighter to handle and had larger blocks, which also by mid-century were fitted with patent roller-bushed sheaves. One reason for this increased size of blocks was that American running rigging was made of manila, which was slightly weaker than the hemp used on British ships and therefore had to be increased in size for an equivalent breaking strain. Apart from this, however, the blocks were made larger for easier working, according to comments made by earlier writers, a fact which did not convince British shipowners who preferred smaller and neater looking blocks aloft.

  Hemp was used for standing rigging on American ships, however, long after it had been superseded by wire on the British vessels.