HMS Barham Explodes (color footage)

[kapuhy]

Originally Posted by Mister_M

Why does a boiler explode ? Wasn't it an ammunition room which exploded while Barham was capsizing ?

Yeah, went a bit off topic there, sorry. On Barham it was ammunition explosion. I mentioned steam venting/explosion in general as an effect that is lacking in SH5 and I'd love to see it added. As to why boilers explode, from Wikipedia:

"Boiler explosions are common in sinking ships once the superheated boiler touches cold sea water, as the sudden cooling of the superheated metal causes it to crack"

As for venting, it occured when boiler room was flooding and crew knew it might soon explode - they vented steam from boilers to reduce pressure and avoid explosion. Some U-Boat KTB's I've read mentioned when venting steam by torpedoed ship was observed through periscope, as this was a sign flooding inside is severe. If the effect was added to game, it could be similarly used to estimate damage done to target.