Current in which British sailors lost way (4)
I believe the answer is:
mode
'way' is the definition.
(I know that way can be written as mode)
'current in which british sailors lost' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite see how this works, but
'current' could be 'mod' (I've seen this in another clue) and 'mod' is located in the answer.
A single letter 'e' remains which might be clued in a way I don't see.
This explanation may well be incorrect...
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for mode that I've seen before include "Style; statistical value" , "Way, method" , "Fashion; way of performing" , "Style (of clothes, etc)" , "Way, style" .)