British losses were two Swordfish and two aircrew, while casualties aboard the damaged Italian ships were comparatively limited. The shallow harbour let damaged ships settle on the bottom before they developed the instability of a vessel struck amidships in deeper water. The bow and stern locations of many hits also reduced the likelihood of the rapid capsize associated with heavy amidships flooding. Weapon effects therefore depended on harbour depth, buoyancy, hit location, and magazine safety as well as the torpedoes themselves.
Notable Point · 24:28-26:57
Why the damage was grave but casualties were lower
The shallow harbour and the location of torpedo hits helped damaged Italian battleships settle without the catastrophic capsizes or explosions seen in some later harbour attacks.