Q&A · 2:04:56-2:05:36

A T-class submarine salvo against Yamato

A torpedo-attack answer explains why an exceptional target justifies firing an entire submarine bow salvo.

Question

Could a full T-class submarine torpedo spread sink a cruising Yamato-class battleship?

Short answer

Potentially: a ten-torpedo bow salvo producing three or four hits would put even Yamato in serious danger, especially before the ship reached battle stations.

Notes

Yamato or Bismarck would be among the few targets worth expending all ten forward torpedoes at once. The outcome is not guaranteed, but multiple underwater hits could overwhelm the margin provided by the battleship's size and protection.