DOUBLE CROSSWORD

CRYPTIC CLUES: Across

1 and 6Dn. Calm seas are difficult to fathom, we're told (5,6,3,4) 9. Sign of engagement removed - cease communication! (4,3) 10. An address given by the

preacher (5) 11. One employed in the wardroom (5) 12. Defects in the hose used by firemen (7) 13. Plant container has different fertiliser (6) 15. Composer includes short musical piece in prominent feature (6) 18. One can't recall being affected by this (7) 20. Claud could be of high birth

(5) 22. Rubbish food (5) 23. Guard cave! (4,3) 24. Black-coated workers (11)

Down

2. He may take a leading part in Britten oratorio (5) 3. She's a wildcat! (7) 4. Talk nonsensically about food that takes a battering (6) 5. Kept a watch on (5) 6. See 1 Across 7. Puts in a different bed (11) 8. Player is not miscast as this distinctive character (11) 14. One isn't affected by the strain (7) 16. Fish taken in near the harbour (7) 17. A colleague to hire out somewhere to sleep (6) 19. In the cupboards I eventually found a kitchen utensil (5) 21. Singers providing a certain amount of paper, we hear (5)