Surely the working sailors were musical, quote.

yes and no, just like any other occupation, it does not automatically follow that someone who works as a sailor is musical any more than someone who is a farmer is musical.
there are several factors that make musicality other than rhythmic competence.
"It puzzles me why you'd reserve musicality for Sir R.R. Terry's published classical arrangement," quote Gibb
where have I done so?
Finally, i said quote
Subject: RE: 'Shenandoah' rhythm/meter
From: GUEST
Date: 25 Jun 22 - 03:10 AM

Gibb sings it well