Beats initially typifying any naval sailor's drum given a turn? (7)
I believe the answer is:
capstan
'drum given a turn?' is the definition.
(drum or barrel turned on a boat)
'beats initially typifying any naval' is the wordplay.
'beats' becomes 'caps' (cap can mean to beat or outdo).
'initially' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letters of 'typifying any naval' is 'tan'.
'caps'+'tan'='CAPSTAN'
'sailor's' acts as a link.
This may not be right. It may be part of another bit of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for capstan that I've seen before include "Tape-, cable-driving spindle" , "item of winding gear" , "Revolving shaft" , "Device winding in rope" , "Dockside rope winder" .)