Couple of comments:
1. Read about operation Pedestal, the convoy re-supply to Malta (I think that's it...). There was a USA tanker that made it to port with the sea level almost lapping over the main deck...I think it's name was 'Ohio'. Couldn't be bothered to check...being lazy :rotfl:
2. Tankers were notoriously difficult to sink. The most likely ways to make sinking a near certainty were (a) a massive explosion of the cargo (especially avgas), (b) breaking the back through a detonation beneath the keel or (c) hitting the engine spaces aft. As commented by others, it was quite possible to hit a tanker midships yet not sink it (you can read accounts by Edward L Beach from USS Trigger, Richard H O'Kane from USS Wahoo and Tang etc....).
3. I'd have a problem with tankers ALWAYS requiring the same number of hits irrespective of where they are struck.
Cheers
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