As has been said, which trigger and other torpedo settings to use is dependent on the circumstances and the target. The air, or steam-powered torpedoes have the advantage of three different speed settings which, effectively give the torpedo three maximum ranges. If you want to hit and run with minimum risk of being detected, steam-powered torpedoes at medium speed setting, fired at around 5,000 to 6,000 metres can do the trick - especially at night. Of course you have to be very accurate with your firing solution. The wake left by the steam-powered torpedoes is easily spotted in daylight - especially by DDs and DEs, who have a nasty habit of going to full ahead and turning into the torpedo, charging down its line straight towards where you launched from.
The electric torpedoes don't leave a wake, but have only a single speed ( and a maximum range of 3,000 m ) I tend to fire them at 2,000 m and then go silent and deep, turning as I dive. Escorts will start to hunt at around 500 to 1500 m from a convoy on the side the explosion(s) from your hits occur.
The choice of trigger is, again, a question of circumstances. I only use contact triggers when attacking from the beam to ensure a solid hit with the torpedo's nose. If your torpedo hits at an angle it can bounce off the hull without detonating. For most attacks I use the magnetic trigger, with the torpedo set to run at very slightly below keel-depth.
One thing the variable depth does allow you to do is to fire at a depth which will have the torpedoes run under an escort ( warships have comparatively shallow draughts ) and go on the hit a merchant beyond.
You can use the salvo and spread controls to fire two, or more torpedoes at large targets. NArrow the spread to virtually nothing and check the solution map ( not the navigation one ) If you zoom in you'll see a representation of the hull of the target and the two lines of your salvo. As you adjust the spread you'll see how it works. For C2s and larger I tend to fire a salvo of two torpedoes, spread to impact around a third of the length of the target's hull apart. I launch the first one at a point directly beneath the smoke stack. That way you stand a good chance of clobbering the engine / boiler room and the steering / propellors further aft at the same time. If the target doesn't sink it's dead in the water and easy meat.
Good hunting and enjoy playing with the settings.
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