Agree completely on all counts.
At least a bit more dispersion would be nice for the 8" guns.
Ground strikes with 8" & 5" guns are almost invisible except at point blank range. Makeing it virtually impossible to spot targets.
Smoke, (esp slightly diff colored smoke for diff turrets) or a better explosion effect would make a great difference.
Water sprites are excellent, and could be used on land only showing a bit more dirty grey???
Last would be the addition of a "Salvo" command. Let us fire each gun one at a time for rangeing, then "salvo" all guns once in range, or bracketed.