When the British captured their first type VII, they were astonished to find that the Germans were building pressure hulls out of 25mm steel, which is not quite 1 inch thick; as opposed to their own, which was only 1/2" (12.7mm). the Americans were using 5/8" (14mm) until the Balao class, which not only had 7/8" thickness, but was also made from STS (Special Tensile Steel), otherwise known as armor plate.
That said, some US boats did indeed reach depths they were told not to go to, with little or no problem.
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“Never do anything you can't take back.”
—Rocky Russo
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