Ark Royal's second strike cripples Bismarck

The first Swordfish attack mistakenly targeted Sheffield; some weapons detonated or broke up on water entry, reinforcing concern about the torpedoes. A second dusk strike with contact detonators scored three hits, including the decisive stern hit that disabled Bismarck's steering. Rodney's earlier experience showed how a ship might steer by engines, but Bismarck's three-shaft arrangement required sacrificing much of her propulsion and also had to contend with shock damage to shafts and bearings. A brief engineering aside asks why modern warships have not adopted podded propulsion more widely, while noting dry-docking, repair, and damage-control concerns. The immobilization allowed Tovey to unite Rodney with King George V while Vian's destroyers maintained pressure overnight.