Thread: Occupation help (1891 census) please!

Hi!
This is not strictly speaking a look-up, as I have the census record ... I just don't know what the occupation of my ancestor says / means!

The ref. from the 1891 census is RG12/4214 and it's the final entry on page 127:
William Craven, age 31, Byker, Newcastle.

His occupation is given as "Steam Engine Maker" then there is a word in brackets.... looks like "Slother"...

Could anyone with access to census records and expertise in either handwriting or the steam engine manufacturing process please take a look for me? What does it actually say and what, therefore, did he do?

Many thanks for any help!

Gravenor x