It seems most likely that most if not all of the lifeboats/flotation rafts were damaged in the encounter. Not uncommon in a naval firefight.

The reason that many 'early design' (WWI) ships like the Hood went up so quickly is often to do with lack of understanding of the necessity to securely 'firewall' the whole path of the combustible charges and warheads from turret to magazine. Hit a turret with charges lying around, and if there is a clear open path to the magazine, the magazine will usually be reached by flashover. Usually End of Story.

Also, if your smaller calibre/range guns in well within range, and well sighted while the other ship is not expecting you to open fire, a well trained gun crew can get some strategic hits which can rapidly disable fire control, complete turrets (some of the turret windows were open), Bridge, and other systems.