Crossword Genius

Fanatic had ship crossing river (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hardliner

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'fanatic' is the definition.
The answer and definition can be both people as well as being singular nouns.
Perhaps there's an association between them I don't understand?

'had ship crossing river' is the wordplay.
'ship' becomes 'liner' (liner is a kind of ship).
'crossing' means one lot of letters goes inside another.
'river' becomes 'r' (abbreviation for river).
'had'+'liner'='hadliner'
'hadliner' going around 'r' is 'HARDLINER'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for hardliner that I've seen before include "Uncompromising person" , "dogmatic type" , "Militant" , "politician" , "Resolute advocate" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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