Crossword Genius

Vessel in snake pit at last (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

boat

'vessel' is the definition.
(boat is a kind of vessel)

'snake pit at last' is the wordplay.
'snake' becomes 'boa' (boa is a kind of snake**).
'at last' says to take the final letters.
The last letter of 'pit' is 't'.
'boa'+'t'='BOAT'

'in' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for boat that I've seen before include "Vehicle for travelling over water" , "Vessel for travelling on water" , "Small vessel" , "Small ship" , "Water transport" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.
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