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O-D, I agree completely. I have seen many batteries freeze solid over the years, even new batteries, if the battery is discharged in very cold temperatures. The case splits and the fluid leaks out when it thaws. Yes they can indeed explode if charged when frozen!
To aid cold weather starting in addition to an electric engine block heater I have an electric battery blanket. It really helps like yesterday when it was -36C (-32.8F). today it is a balmy -19 (-2F).

It's pretty rare here in NJ to get overnights below 0 deg. F, and I've never needed a battery blanket or engine block heater. But years back when I occasionally took the 34 out in the depths of the winter I used a dipstick heat to heat the oil overnight. They generally are pretty easy to use on L-head engines because the dipstick is usually a straight shot down into the oil pan; on V8s with dipsticks that make a bend or two, impossible. The dipstick heater I have is rated at 50 watts, 110 volts.

I guess the reason frozen batteries explode when charged is that the hydrogen gas (remember the Hindenburg!) which is generated by the charging process has it's path to the vent caps blocked by the frozen electrolyte.