Possible Clues:

• Awkward uncle had to be got going
• Ate about a ship off the slipway
• Like rockets in air
• Set off for meal to cover article with press boss
• Gone down by way of a slip (8)
• Sent on course as uncle had
• Sent into space
• Set up article in the course of meal with editor
• Had a meal around the first of April, and set off
• Enabled to make a getaway from the bank