A lot of sailors, we hear, accumulate (6)
I believe the answer is:
accrue
'accumulate' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
'a lot of sailors' is the wordplay.
'lot' becomes 'c'.
'of sailors' becomes 'crue' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'a'+'c'+'crue'='ACCRUE'
'we hear' is the link.
I am not very happy about this link. Some or all of it may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for accrue that I've seen before include "(Of a benefit) be received regularly" , "Accumulate over time" , "Fall due; accumulate" , "Build up interest" , "Allow for (charge) at end of accounting period" .)