One sailing east from Cowes, possibly (4)

I believe the answer is:

scow

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'one sailing' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I cannot understand how one could define the other.

'east from cowes possibly' is the wordplay.
'east' becomes 'E' (synonyms).
'from' is a deletion indicator.
'possibly' is an anagram indicator.
'cowes' with 'e' taken away is 'cows'.
'cows' with letters rearranged gives 'SCOW'.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for scow that I've seen before include "ighter" , "Unpowered freight barge" , "Maybe lighter" , "Vessel" , "Low boat" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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