The game is great. And really hard.
I got stuck on the ship for hours, then I got bored and never came back to the game. But someday in the future I will finish it (without cheating)!
I'm thinking you got stuck where I did. I also refuse to cheat, and every so often fire up the original in DOSbox and have another go. One day I'll crack it.
(No, I am NOT asking HN for help; I am just musing out loud)
There was a (pretty amusing) hint book included and it is also with the online version. I think cheating was likely encouraged. You should read the hint book anyway, once you are done if you do not want to cheat.
(No, I am NOT asking HN for help; I am just musing out loud)