What does the cryptic crossword clue "Novel was read as boat goes out of port (7)" mean?

The wordplay uses an anagram. anagram of WAS (synonym="WAS") + READ (synonym="READ") = SEAWARD The answer is SEAWARD.

Novel was read as boat goes out of port (7)

Guardian Cryptic #28217 | 13 Across | 2020-08-20 flower