Container ship unloader with anti-sway device

The present invention relates to a dockside crane for moving cargo between a dock and a water-borne vessel. The crane has an elongated girder extending horizontally over the dock and the vessel. The crane can vertically raise and lower the girder to change its elevation, so as to minimize distance and time travel for the cargo. A trolley moves horizontally on the girder, and has a cargo engaging device which is lowered to and raised from cargo locations on the dock and vessel. The cargo engaging device can be raised sufficiently adjacent to the trolley, and may be held tightly thereagainst, to permit large horizontal accelerations and velocities with virtually no attendant sway of the trolley or cargo. Preferably, paddles extend downwardly from the trolley to beneath the center of gravity of the cargo, to further ensure no sway is encountered. Advantageously, an operator cab is provided which moves independently of the trolley, so that the operator can view the load from a variety of angles throughout the cargo moving process.