Tiller's Naval Campaigns - aspect of firing ships?

[Mowgli]

One thing that isn't quite clear from the manuals is the "broadside" question. 

The type of projetiles that can be fired to each direction is indicated in the database data (F = forward, P/S = port/starbord, A = aft; each corresponds to a 45° sector of your ship). 

However the manual doesn't say anything about the quantity of projectiles. I suppose it is advantageous if you can fire "broadsides", i.e. bring more turrets to bear on your enemy? But just from looking at the game, there is no increased quantity/shorter interval of firing animations. Perhaps there is a greater chance to hit if you have multiple turrets firing?