Neat Trick

[[UF]Excalibur-D]

Was playing a MP game last night with a fellow called Littlemike or so. After I launched all torps there were 3 destroyers a few crusiers and a battleship left.
After some discussion it was decided I would surface and draw there fire and we would both engage with the deck guns. Fruitless and not without bravery I did so. I was on the starboard side of the BB laying into her, she was listing hard to port so her guns could not come to bare on me. Anyway, I was eventually destroyed by the DD's and switched to observer mode. After a few minutes I noticed my deck gun was still firing at the DD that I targeted just before my demise. I proceeded to watch the crew sink the DD then switch target back to the BB....after about 10-15 minutes my ship came to a stop but her deck gun was still laying into enemy ships.

I was killed and my ship kept on going. Any insight into that.
I have 1.4 version installed no mods.