nicole shrugged slightly , besides abandoning the ship they could sometimes pull her off using a very long cable connected to something very solid on shore , or another ship and with the help of the anchor windlass they could sometimes pull the ship freebut before you get any ideas , it took a dozen strong men to turn the windlass and if the cables slipped or broke it ripped men apartand not to rain on anyones parade but even though we are not taking on water at the moment , once we pull her off , we may sink right here after the hull is relieved of the pressure .