Craft succeeded in seconds (5)
I believe the answer is:
ships
'seconds' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
'craft succeeded' is the wordplay.
'craft' becomes 'ship' (ship is a kind of craft).
'succeeded' becomes 's' (genealogical abbreviation).
'ship'+'s'='SHIPS'
'in' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for ships that I've seen before include "Maritime transport" , "Sea vessels" , "Large boats" .)