How ironic CO2 saved many lives. I guess now it would be nitrogen. The wood decks were a compromise too. They took plenty with them so they could be repaired. But they didn’t create as lethal shrapnel, but were more easily destroyed.
The NAVY is nothing if not inconsistent.
They had neutered Torpedoes for 2 years but thought this matter out extremely well.
They didn’t solve the enraging US torpedo problem until a consultation with —I’m serious, here— ALFRED EINSTEIN..!
Early in the war:
Japanese torpedos - simple, reliable
American torpedos - sophisticated, harmless
For years.
I read the account of one US sub commander, totally confident it was a navy-wide torpedo problem, deliberately firing dud after dud after dud into the same tormented, helpless Japanese ship, just to make it totally clear to all on board that it was not HIM, or whatever.
For a long time the USN just would NOT listen to the myriad of complaints about that torpedo.