 Q @-@ ships were merchant ships crewed by Navy personnel and bearing hidden weaponry . When attacked by U @-@ boats , a portion of the ship 's crew ( referred to as a panic party ) would appear to evacuate the vessel , sometimes setting smoke fires to simulate damage . This would encourage its attacker to approach and when the U @-@ boat was close enough , the Q @-@ ship 's guns would become operational and open fire , hopefully destroying the submarine . 
