CROSSWORD THINGS

Sailor/s - it isn't AS (fool!). That'd be an AB or RN
Pole - nothing to do with being Polish (du-uuh). That'll be N/S/E/W
Thus - SO
Pound - L (note, no 'B')
River - DEE/CAN/EXE (most common), WYE/URE
Father - POP/PA/DAD

All extremely logical, really. (Until you try to put it into practice).