Crossword Genius

Severe damp I eliminated at the far back of the ship (9)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

sternmost

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

'i eliminated at the far back of the ship' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'severe damp' is the wordplay.
'severe' becomes 'stern' (I've seen this in another clue).
'damp' becomes 'most' (I can't explain this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'stern'+'most'='STERNMOST'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Another definition for sternmost that I've seen is " Furthest back on a ship".)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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