Counter-flooding was a normal damage-control tool, but it had to be calculated because excessive flooding could create a new and equally serious list. The crucial instruction was not to admit water unnecessarily, rather than never to admit it. The loss of Courageous and Glorious removed many sailors who had practical experience interpreting that distinction aboard carriers. Later readers could treat caution as prohibition when the damaged ship actually required balancing water. The resulting loss of institutional knowledge may help explain the failure to counter-flood Ark Royal after her torpedo hit.
Notable Point · 1:45:00-1:48:45
Counter-flooding caution was mistaken for prohibition
Royal Navy instructions warned against unnecessary counter-flooding, but losing experienced carrier personnel helped turn that caution into a dangerous refusal to act.