Answer: "Shell splashes" typically refer to the visible splash or spray of water that is created when an explosive shell or other projectile strikes the surface of the water. This term is often used in a military context, particularly in naval warfare, where shells are fired at enemy ships from a distance.
When a shell strikes the water, it can create a large splash or spray that can be seen from a distance. This splash can be used by observers to estimate the range and accuracy of the shell, and can also be used to track the movements of enemy vessels.
In addition to their military application, shell splashes can also be of interest to recreational boaters and spectators watching naval exercises or demonstrations. The sight of a shell splash can be quite dramatic, and can provide a sense of the power and destructive potential of modern weaponry.
Explanation: In the given passage, "shell splashes" refer to the visible explosions or sprays of water that occur when large shells or projectiles fired by warships hit the surface of the water during a naval battle. The passage describes the engagement between German battleship Bismarck and the British Royal Navy, in which "shell splashes rising twice the height of masts" could be seen.
The phrase "shell splashes" is used here to emphasize the violent and destructive nature of naval warfare, particularly the engagement between capital ships such as the Bismarck and the Royal Navy's Hood and Prince of Wales. The height of the shell splashes is used to suggest the massive size and power of the weapons being used, and the deadly impact they have on the vessels involved in the battle.
Overall, "shell splashes" is a term commonly used in military and naval contexts to describe the visual effect of large shells or other projectiles hitting the surface of the water during a battle.