I've seen "smoke on the horizon" before, when I decided to go topside and scan the horizon myself.
Strange that the captain can see it but the lookouts can't. :( :x
It happens infrequently, and such contacts that I investigated turned out to be merchantmen, but it does happen.
A couple of such contacts turned out to be 2 merchants steaming together in line formation.

But at least you spotted a TF - the only warships I've encountered that were not escorting convoys are DDs and smaller on (presumably) ASW duty. Not seen a CL or better in my 14 patrols thus far.

Sometimes you can force a ship as yet unspotted to be spotted so you can fire a torp at it.

Just hover your crosshair over it and click LOCK and it will target the ship even if it hasnt been officially spotted yet.

Just wondering. If i use weapons officer for my solutions, is the solution he choses going to hit where my crosshair is when i clicked firing solution, or the position its in when he responds and the solution apears on the notpad? Because there is a about a 5 second delay between clicking solution and when it apears on the pad.