Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:19:34-2:22:36

Could Royal Oak have reacted after the first torpedo?

Fifteen minutes may have been enough to move slowly or impose watertight discipline, either of which could have complicated U-47's second attack.

Damage ControlHMS Royal OakNaval ReadinessSubmarine WarfareU-47
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Question

Could Royal Oak have raised steam and moved during the interval between U-47's attacks?

Short answer

Possibly at low speed, but immediate watertight precautions and an active harbor search would have been more practical responses.

Notes

A rapid full-speed departure was unrealistic, but four to eight knots may have been possible because an oil-fired ship could keep essential machinery and generators running at anchor. Even limited movement might have spoiled U-47's firing solution. More importantly, ordering watertight closure and shutting portholes after the unexplained explosion could have reduced progressive flooding. This counterfactual identifies concrete readiness measures without claiming that the ship certainly would have survived.