The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 9 letter word STEAMSHIP
I've seen this crossword clue in The Times
S
T
E
A
M
S
H
I
P
More clues leading to the result STEAMSHIP
- Titanic, possibly, the start of Hard Times: pa’s awful!
- Cooks fruit in packet, perhaps
- Powered vessel? Sons must accept crew with it
- Vessel, small, shifts fruit
- Crew is behind section in vessel
- SIXsides in vessel
- Vessel? Small crew’s with it
- Eleven in one vessel start to cheer for another
- Joins in, taking time for craft
- Crew in shackles disheartened in vessel
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "packet, perhaps" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case packet, perhaps = steamship.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.
What does STEAMSHIP mean?
STEAMSHIP noun- A ship or vessel propelled by steam power.