Crossword Genius

Ship capsized, heading for sea behind rodent, apes (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

shrewdness

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'ship' is the definition.
Although both the answer and definition are singular nouns, I can't see how one could define the other.

I don't understand how the rest of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
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