manual targeting problems are giving me inaccurate firing solutions

[I'm goin' down]

I am having a manual targeting problem. I have been trying out manual targeting for the past couple of days. I have 3 contacts out of about 20 shots.

First set of questions. 1. When I set up angle on the bow by adjusting the target ship's position on the stadimeter, I am estimating the angle by trying to match the target's angle as seen through the periscope. Is there a better way? 2. Are the numbers on the angle of the bow dial of any use, and if so, how do I use them? 3. Should I measure angle on the bow with a compass or protractor and use that calculation? I can tell my firing solution is not correct because on the attack map the white line running from the white "x" is not following the target's course but is pointed in some other direction. Werner Sobe makes it clear that the line should follow the target's course in a good firing solution.

Second set of questions. When I try to measure the height of the target's mast at long range, it is usually inaccurate. At medium range the ship is bobbing in the ocean and it it tough to get an accurate reading because I see a shadow that gives me a duplicate image of the target. At close range it is much easier, but that means I am firing soon after taking the reading, plus I have to scrambe to adjust angle on the bow again to take a shot. 4. Why can't I just enter the mast height once I identify the ship? 5. What am I doing wrong?

Update: I just missed two shots at long range because the distance input was incorrect. But I saved three torpedos and fired when it was closer, and all three hit. I was so busy hiding from destroyers that I did not have time to see it go under.