Q&A · 1:05:21-1:06:39

Why a bazooka would not reliably sink an ASW frigate

A damage-control answer explains why penetrating a hull is not the same as defeating a warship's watertight integrity and pumping capacity.

Question

Could a bazooka-sized anti-tank rocket make a large enough hole below the waterline to sink a Second World War anti-submarine frigate?

Short answer

A hit might flood one space, but sinking the frigate requires damage in the right location and a hole large enough to overwhelm subdivision and pumps; a bazooka is probably insufficient.

Notes

A projectile can make a hole without producing fatal flooding. A hit beneath an engine room could be serious, but other locations may leave the ship's watertight compartments and pumps able to contain the damage. The opening must admit water faster than the crew and machinery can control it. A weapon larger than a bazooka would therefore be needed for a reliable sinking.