Explorer heads across the Atlantic heading for China: boat lost! (4,5)

I believe the answer is:

john cabot

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'explorer' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)

'atlantic heading for china boat lost' is the wordplay.
'atlantic' becomes 'john' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'heading for' indicates taking the first letters.
'lost' is an anagram indicator.
The first letter of 'china' is 'c'.
'boat' with letters rearranged gives 'abot'.
'john'+'c'+'abot'='JOHN CABOT'

'heads across the' acts as a link.
This may not be right. Some or all of it may belong to another bit of the clue.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for john cabot that I've seen is " Explorer".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app