Abstract: Apparatus for measuring a traction force which is measured during cable laying by means of a traction dynamometer (5) disposed between the cable (10) and a wire rope (11), the dynamometer including a strain gauge and a measuring circuit which amplifies the signals received from the strain gauge and converts them into frequency-modulated signals proportional to the traction force. These signals are fed to a measurement receiver (22) set up in the area of a winch (20), the wire rope (11) incorporating a first conductor to the measurement receiver (22) and the ground (24) incorporating another conductor. The output of the measuring circuit, which is connected to the conductor carried through the ground (24) has a measurement signal carrier frequency of 3 . . . 100 kHz and, with a capacitive coupling (C.sub.1, C.sub.2, C.sub.3) galvanically separated from the ground, transfers the signals through the ground to the measurement receiver (22).