Great for Brunel as each ship's back (7)

I believe the answer is:

eastern

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

'great for brunel as' is the definition.
I can't tell whether this defines the answer.

'each ship's back' is the wordplay.
'each' becomes 'ea'.
'ship's back' becomes 'stern'.
'ea'+'stern'='EASTERN'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for eastern that I've seen before include "towards daybreak?" , "Coming from the Orient" , "Nearest (anag) - oriental" , "Of the direction of the rising sun" , "Chinese', for example" .)

I've seen this clue in The Independent.

Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app