Crossword Genius

Vessel unknown, number spoken by U-boat crew? (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

yacht

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

'unknown number spoken by u-boat crew?' is the wordplay.
'unknown' becomes 'y' (algebra).
'number spoken by u-boat crew?' becomes 'acht' ('eight' in German - U-boats were German submarines).
'y'+'acht'='YACHT'

(Other definitions for yacht that I've seen before include "Cathy (anag.)" , "Pleasure-boat" , "Pleasure craft" , "Sailboat" , "Type of boat" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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