Specification of William Chapman's 1798 patent for machinery that lays, twists and coils ropes and cordage in a single operation, replacing the traditional rope-walk with sledge and top. It describes strand-shafts, rope-shafts, laying-blocks, press-blocks, holding-rollers, twisting-sheaves and coiling reels or stages, for both shroud-laid and cable-laid ropes and for twine. It also covers a method of tarring and winding yarns separately. Four engraved plates of machinery (Figs. 1-13) accompany the text.