i find that crippled ships rarely sink in the long run - (i.e. slow leaks). I have a feeling that if a ship still has an intact engine, it can pump out flooded compartments and keep going. Reason being, I once hit a c3 hard - hard - and it was almost under - like right down at the waterline with decks awash, O kts, no engine activity. I left it and chased the convoy, expecting ot come back to it. After raising further carnage, I went back and found the c3, except it was back out of the water (normal draft or damn close) and was steaming at 7kts! This is like many hours later. So, I think they can repair.
I don't like to leave a wounded ship alone for too long for this reason - I also suspect that other ships can speed these repairs - ever seen a merchant hang back from the convoy with a wounded ship? I though maybe it was like offloading men or repairing, but can't be sure.
Gotta sink em while you can see 'em, or within a few hrs of wounding them.
kb
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