From John W. Kennion's "The Architects' and Builders' Guide" 1868:

"The work on this spire [Trinity Church, Brooklyn] and all spires is done by
ordinary stone-masons, with this difference, that out of fifty applicants for
the work, not more than three or four are found an the average to possess the
requisite nerve and steadiness of eye and head for such a dizzy job....

"In building spires, though the risk seems great, we are informed that
accidents rarely occur, as every precaution is taken to prevent them, but if
a workman should lose his hold, there is but little chance of his escaping
with his life."

Posted by Christopher Gray