Crossword Genius

The vessels were travelling south (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

ewers

'the vessels' is the definition.
(ewer is a kind of vessel)

'were travelling south' is the wordplay.
'travelling' is an anagram indicator.
'south' becomes 's' ('S' can be a synonym of 'south').
'were' anagrammed gives 'ewer'.
'ewer'+'s'='EWERS'

(Other definitions for ewers that I've seen before include "Water jugs" , "Large jugs" , "containers" , "Pitchers" , "Jugs thrown into sewer" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.
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