I normally approach to 400 - 800 meters before firing. This assures positive ID of the target (important during the early years). It also decreases the impact of any errors in targeting due to target ship speed, course and AoB. In addition, the torpedoes' running time is very short. The target has little opportunity to evade if they spot the trail of the steamers. It also greatly decreases the odds of premature detonation, as the run time is under 20 seconds, rather than 1 -3 minutes.
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