In a naval battle during either world war, was there any shell falling through the funnel or other opening of a ship?

 50 year old master mortar man GySgt Lou Diamond was known as a wild character. When the USMC arrived on Guadalcanal, they lacked their heavy 155mm artillery.

The Japanese ships would move in to fire on their positions without meeting resistance.

At one time, a Japanese light cruiser fired its shells at Henderson field, getting very close.

Lou decided at that moment, set up his 81mm mortar, and launched precise fire onto the Japanese cruiser. According to popular Marine Corps tales, his round found the ship’s funnel…that said, experience suggests that stories can grow with each telling.