A thick rope or cable for mooring or towing a ship (6)

I believe the answer is:

hawser

(Other definitions for hawser that I've seen before include "Ship's tow-rope" , "A strong rope, maybe of steel" , "Quayside rope" , "Thick mooring rope" , "Strong rope or cable for mooring ship" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

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