USS California Bomb Damage Report

This was my favourite part (RE: estimating the torps used)


"Not much is known about Japanese aerial torpedoes but estimates by the Bureau of Ordnance indicate that types carrying moderate charges of about 452 and 337 pounds of explosive have been employed and that that Bureau considers that the torpedo carrying about 450 pounds of explosive is the one in general use by the Japanese. The extent of damage indicates only a moderate charge. The transverse depth of protective layers at points of impact was about 17-1/2 feet, as previously described. Bulkheads 3 and 4 vere not penetrated, although severely deflected. Bulkhead 5 received only a minor deflection. Deflection of numbers 3 and 4 was confined between frames 47 and 59 forward and 95 and 107 aft. The damage done, while somewhat greater in longitudinal extent, corresponds in other particulars to that done on NEVADA. It appears logical to conclude that warhead charges used were somewhat less than 500 pounds in weight."


Good thing nobody extrapolated the power of a mere 17.7" aerial torpedo into what the surface fleet was capable of with a 24" torp that carried a warhead of almost 1,100 lbs...oh, wait, we did underestimate that factor, didn't we?