Crossword Genius

Ship's propeller failing to start for those manning craft (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

crew

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

'those manning craft' is the definition.
I can't judge whether this definition defines the answer.

'ship's propeller failing to start' is the wordplay.
'ship's propeller' becomes 'screw' (I've seen this in another clue).
'failing to start' means to remove the first letter.
'screw' with its first letter removed is 'CREW'.

'for' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for crew that I've seen before include "Ship's company - bragged" , "eight > was sounding shrilly" , "Very short haircut for the ship's complement" , "Team who man a ship" , "Ship/plane operators" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app