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The structure of the ram is designed, naturally, to minimize this eventuality, and to facilitate its withdrawal by back-oaring. - (Swordsmen of Gor, Chapter 30, Sentence #50)

"There are no shearing blades, at least as yet," I said. Such blades are designed to shear away a galley's oars, thus crippling her, and preparing her for a ramming, usually amidships, which is a blow of considerable force, easily sufficient to rupture and flood the prey vessel, and occasionally sufficient to snap her in two. One of the dangers of ramming is the possibility of fixing one's ram in the victim and inadvertently sharing her fate. The structure of the ram is designed, naturally, to minimize this eventuality, and to facilitate its withdrawal by back-oaring. Indeed, some rams are fitted with a flaring collar that determines the quantity of penetration into the target. Still the pressures are such that the ram, even so, is occasionally, dangerously, anchored in the victim. Some captains reduce the ramming speed at the last moment to minimize this form of engagement. - (Swordsmen of Gor)