I have seen several instances of convoys breaking up and maneuvering
some ships move in the predictable old school SHIII zig zag pattern, others see the torpedo coming and order all stop drifting while the torpedo barely misses the bow.
Interestingly, some of the ships will maneuver so as to avoid crossing your bow if they have you spotted and you are on the surface. In SHIII you could just reposition your boat down range and re-intercept them and fire at the predictably zig zagging ship... in Uboat, the ship will go out of its way to stay out of your line of fire.
others accelerate to flank speed and leave the convoy in the dust.
as far as life on the boats, there are sailors, some will be seen on the rail smoking a cigarette, right down to the stogie and the smoke. others are watching through binoculars.
sometimes the crew will abandon the ship prematurely. Though eventually i think you will see animations of crew rushing to abandon ship etc.
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