Hornet remained afloat after severe damage and required Japanese destroyers to finish the sinking. A warship hit in a future battle could likewise survive in a damaged condition, creating a need for recovery and repair. Fleet planning therefore has to account for towing, support, and the means of returning a surviving ship to service. Continued operation also depends on dependable access to engines, fuel, and spare parts. Losing an engine supplier creates difficult choices between running machinery until it fails, taking ships out of service for replacement engines, and developing domestic manufacture.
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Plan for damaged-warship recovery and repair
Hornet's continued buoyancy raises practical questions about recovering damaged warships and sustaining the machinery needed to return them to service.