The mate's about to move the ship (5)

I believe the answer is:

steam

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

'move the ship' is the definition.
'steam' can be an answer for 'move' (steaming is a kind of moving). I'm unsure of the 'the ship' bit.

'the mate's about' is the wordplay.
'about' indicates anagramming the letters.
'mates' with letters rearranged gives 'STEAM'.

'to' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for steam that I've seen before include "Water at boiling temperature diffused in the atmosphere" , "Speed" , "Vaporous exhalation" , "Vapour; energy" , "Energy (colloq.)" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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