A weapon can prevent a ship from performing its mission while leaving the hull afloat. Early air attacks illustrate the distinction: damage above water could disable equipment without causing uncontrollable flooding. A surviving vessel could subsequently be repaired. Torpedoes and mines attacked the underwater hull to cause a leak beyond the crew's ability to control, while an uncontrollable fire offered another route to a ship's loss.
Notable Point · 9:19-10:29
Why disabling a ship differs from sinking it
Above-water damage can disable a ship that remains repairable; uncontrolled flooding or fire can destroy it.