What I like to do with the deck gun, and what usually works, is to open up a vertical gash beneath the stack with about 3 AP rounds, then put 5-7 HE rounds directly into the gash. It seems to work pretty consistently.
I'd almost like there to be a torpedo rudder control in order to induce a circle runner for the same reason Armistead said. That would be pretty handy in a tight situation, especially if it's from the aft tubes!
