Bilge rats
Another name for a dismantled ship is a HULK
rats "Rats deserting a sinking ship" is a cliche.
shipwreck, sunken ship
Ship, Space Ship, or plane.
definetely rats can swim how else could they leave a sinking ship
Rattus Rattus is the black or ship rat (the rat whose fleas caused the plague), but the rats we have in this country, and what all fancy rats are descended from is Rattus norvegicus, which is the brown or Norway rat.
The deck.
a Keel
ship
ship yacht
Breachers, rats (not literally comparing too) and leechers.
In the story "Three Skeleton Key," the rats were brought to the island by a ship that wrecked near the island's lighthouse. The ship was carrying a cargo of rats which escaped and found their way onto the island, leading to a terrifying invasion.