Stern damage reduced?

[Luvstruck]

the battle just happened to position me behind a de-masted Essex. So naturally I started stern camping it.

Here's pics after probably 10 salvos this is the 11th.

 

[Ink]

Captain, logically, the more damaged the ship the less chance to damage it even further but unfortunately there is lack of details - without video and f11 report it is impossible to investigate the problem or consider it as a bug