Ark Royal and the carrier-specific case for early counterflooding

Ark Royal introduces a different failure: applying the wrong damage-control response to a top-heavy carrier. The carrier instruction described here was to counterflood promptly after damage, in contrast with the reluctance to add water that was appropriate to other ship types. Delaying counterflooding is said to have helped turn a torpedo hit into a fatal stability problem. Clarke supports the explanation with a recollection of discussing the case with a damage-control officer.