Sadly this sim is not coded very well for ship to ship combat, so surface combat may be a far reach, simulation of it may be possible but as said by our host here, he has his hands full with the project in hand, and is showing great fortitude in proceeding slowly and step by step in a doable manner.
Yes, Capt Van Valkenberg was a fine man and he loved that ship, it was the joy of his career to be given command of her and she was a happy ship. She was not alone in such an end, there were others, when the british attacked the French fleet at anchor in North Afrika, a similar magazine explosion destroyed another fine ship, and others went in other ways but similar manner.
Yes i am glad our families did not meet at sea that we know of.
Glad the merchant fleet is being enhanced, you are correct there were maybe 10 or 12 basic ship types of that era, and many many variations. A very wise step to make variations that way. Our best wishes do with you in your work.
