Historical clue formulations

• Paves the way? — 2026-09-21
• Besmirches — 2026-08-07
• Fixes, as a driveway — 2026-02-01
• Besmirches — 2025-12-04
• Smears — 2025-09-07
• Sullies — 2024-11-29
• Besmirches — 2023-11-30
• Covers, as a country road — 2023-10-17
• Sea dogs — 2023-09-20
• Ones on the briny — 2022-06-02
• Besmirches — 2021-12-23
• Covers with black goo — 2021-12-06
• Blackens — 2020-06-23
• Blackens with goo — 2020-06-10
• Smears — 2020-05-02
• Sea dogs — 2019-05-09
• Covers with black goo — 2019-03-19
• Smears, as a reputation — 2017-10-15
• Popeye and others — 2017-08-25
• Blackens — 2017-08-06
• Ones whose assent is 26-Across — 2017-02-10
• Besmirches — 2016-05-01
• Smears — 2016-01-31
• Surfaces, in a way — 2015-12-20
• Blackens, as a reputation — 2014-11-24
• Seamen — 2014-11-11
• Sailors — 2014-07-01
• Hands on deck — 2014-03-30
• Besmirches — 2013-03-24
• Besmirches — 2012-11-29
• Sailors — 2012-10-22
• Hold hands? — 2012-01-13
• Deck hands — 2011-10-18
• Clippers' skippers, e.g. — 2010-05-15
• Hold hands? — 2010-05-01
• Swabbies — 2009-12-13
• 20-Across's crew — 2008-11-20
• Old salts — 2008-09-01
• Crew team? — 2008-06-20
• Sailors — 2006-02-06
• Swabbies — 2006-01-04
• Blackens — 2005-09-12
• Hands on deck — 2005-07-02
• Crew members — 2004-10-22
• Blackens — 2004-09-22
• Old salts — 2004-03-01
• Surfaces, in a way — 2003-03-15
• Mariners — 2002-10-24
• Blackens — 2002-08-08
• Hands at sea — 2002-07-18