small explostions on ships: just eyecandy?

[Manucubus]

when you shoot (for example) the cargo on the deck of merchants with your Flak, then you finally explode. Do these explostions actually damage the ship or is it just eyecandy?
This also happens with the deckgun, that sometimes some parts of the ship blow with when hit. Is this a sort of critical hit with extra damage or do these compartments just took enough damage to be completely destroyed - and this complete distruction is just modelled by a nice explosion?
Thanks for clearing it up

[Keelbuster]

When I asked this someone told me that materiel stored topside is worth jack-diddly in terms of buoyance/HPs. Sorry to spoil it, but I think it's just candy [correct me boys if i'm wrong]. But I like candy. And accordingly, I spray the decks down with machinegun fire regularly. Thing is, you _can_ destroy their guns, AA-gunners, etc, which may not affect the boat's overall HP, but it certainly makes the whole endeavour a lot safer. Generally I save my 88 rounds for shots below the waterline.

[Jimbuna]

Generally I save my 88 rounds for shots below the waterline.

Best place to aim if you wanna see em sink

[Manucubus]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

Best place to aim if you wanna see em sink

yea, i also aim with the deckgun for the waterline or slightly below.
Normally i let the gunners shoot the ship while i shoot at the bridge and/or cargo with the Flak - its so much fun and hey: its 1939 but only efficient for very small ships

[Canovaro]

I believe those small cargo explosions in fact lower structural integrity; in other words: if you do it enough, the ship will be destroyed. I read that somewhere.

[d@rk51d3]

Originally Posted by Canovaro

I believe those small cargo explosions in fact lower structural integrity; in other words: if you do it enough, the ship will be destroyed. I read that somewhere.

Yes, I believe secondary explosions do inflict some damage, just not much of it.

Still, it may be "the straw that breaks the camels back", so to speak, and when the coast is clear, I'll let rip with a few rounds.

[melnibonian]

All types of explosions cause damage to the ship. Ships have two types of parameters, the stractural integrity (i.e. "Hit Points") and the buoyancy (i.e. if you flood them enough they will sink). If one of those parameters reaches the critical value the ship is "dead"