Salisbury's Old Tread-Wheel Wins The First Lap -- Hauled by the centuries old tread wheel, Salisbury Cathedral's new giant cross reaches the first stage of its 404 ft journey to the top. Steadily pacing the medieval tread-wheel in the tower of Salisbury Cathedral yesterday a scaffolder and steeple-jack's mate hauled from the floor of the nave a new giant copper cross that is to top the 404 feet spire. Without complaint the tread-wheel, used by 13 century workmen to haul up stone and timber when they built the cathedral slowly raised the cross weighting 1 3/1 cwt through the well door in the roof of the tower base. December 05, 1950.