Thanks guys.
Allievo: Yeah. I did fill up my crew before leaving on the first patrol.
Oh well, started another career (also changed my crew), but this time it went well. My tonnage is counting
Did have to bawl out the watch crew after sinking my first coastal merchant this time round. They failed to spot it 'sneaking' up on us, untill it opened fire from about 800 mts away.
Thankfully, I proved to be the better gunner, blowing his gun of with 3 shots (1 miss), and then sinking him with some waterline hits.
Additional questions: Can I change the ammo load for the deckgun?
And, do you guys prefer AP or HE to waterline a ship?