Abstract: Winding mechanism for example for cranes in which a winding drum is rotatable by two motors the first arranged to drive the drum so as to take up any slack rope when operating conditions, for example sea-state, reduce the load on the drum, the other motor driving the drum through an over-run device. If required the first motor is controllable in response to the difference between signals from the winding drum and a sensing drum in a manner to reduce the difference to zero to ensure motion of the winding drum in sympathy with motion of the messenger drum.