A ropeway is a form of naval lifting device used to transport light stores and equipment across rivers or ravines. It comprises a jackstay, slung between two sheers

Sheers

Sheers are a form of two-legged lifting device, that were used by sailboats and dockyards for tasks such as lifting masts and heavier parts of the rigging on board....

 or gyn

Gyn

A gyn is a form of three legged lifting device used on sailing ships. It provides more stability than a derrick or sheers, and requires no rigging for support. However, it can only be used for lifting things directly up and down...

s, one at either end, from which is suspended a block and tackle

Block and tackle

A block and tackle is a system of two or more pulleys with a rope or cable threaded between them, usually used to lift or pull heavy loads.The pulleys are assembled together to form blocks so that one is fixed and one moves with the load...

, that is free to travel along the rope and hauled back and forth by inhauls (ropes attached to the pulley from which the block and tackle are suspended).

Because they are more stable, in particular in the direction along the ropeway, and because they require less guy

Guy (sailing)

A guy is a term for a line attached to and intended to control the end of a spar on a sailboat. On a modern sloop-rigged sailboat with a symmetric spinnaker, the spinnaker pole is the spar most commonly controlled by one or more guys.There are two primary types of guys used to control a...

ing, gyns are better than sheers for supporting a ropeway.