[Lzs von swe]

First world war battle ship clash in the North Sea. You can read about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_...d#Sudden_death

Several British battle cruisers exploded and sank within minutes after being hit by German shells. Poor handling of cordite is thought to play a big part in those explosions. To be able to keep up the fire rate the crews left safety doors open.
Thus, an hit on a turret sent an flash fire down the hatch to the ammunition bunker and the ship was history and so was some 1200 men.