Well, it's always better not to hang around if you can help it, as the ship has the possibiliity to send a distress signal during or after the attack (imagine that a very dedicated radioman on board remained in his position at the radio and continued to send Mayday while his ship was sinking, as I think it could and would happen from time to time).
I committed the error of attacking a french Armed Trawler with a torpedo (it was quite tempting, and besides it's always a nice viwe to see those tiny things jump out of the water). Unfortunately it was not alone as there was a colleague in patrol with it, and said colleague started to search for me with lights and moreover called a Bourrasque class, or another armed trawler can't remember, from Calais to join the party.
I was luckier than you as I could slip away unnoticed, after trying to torpedo the other Armed Trawler for good measure.
Also I take occasion to warn you and others that might be interested that it's a very bad idea to use the cannon to sink a ship that is in a neutral port. I did just that in regard to a French Merchant that was in Den Helder port, Holland. All went well until my deck gun crew missed the ship and hit some building in the port itself. the Royal Dutch Navy jumped on me at once, and giving me something to ponder on (specifically, that they CAN hurt pretty badly someone if they want), sent me and my crew to shake hands with St. Peter.
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