Make a hole in a coal vessel? (7)
I believe the answer is:
scuttle
'hole in a coal vessel?' is the definition.
The definition and answer can be both man-made objects as well as being singular nouns.
Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?
'make a' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'make' could be 'cut' (cutting is a kind of making) and 'cut' is found within the answer.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for scuttle that I've seen before include "Coal container for fireside" , "fuel container" , "Hurry away or sink a ship" , "Rush" , "Destroy - dash - coal container" .)