[Fitzcarraldo]

Let's say a nuclear device were exploded underwater at some distance beneath a carrier - would the rising gas bubble be large enough to cause the carrier to founder and sink?

[xrp]

No. Unless it was directly beneath it. A 85,000 ton carrier isn't going to be moved by shockwaves from a few miles away if detonated underwater.

[PokeyJoe]

not likely, but a well placed shape charge on her keel would break her back.

Divers in the water?

[Diddle E. Squat]

If they actually had a nuke, why waste it sinking a carrier when one could devastate the economy of a major city?

[Bullish]

Gee, ya think if they were smart enough to figure out a way to take out a carrier that has a flotilla of escort ships, they would be smart enough NOT to tip everybody off?

[solitas]

Ah! A bouyancy problem! Good thinking!

First thoughts: if it was symmetrical fore/aft then probably pretty hard since a carrier should be able to stay bouyant even with the hangar decks awash (in a ship properly secured for bad weather). More toward either end and it might be possible: the more fore/aft imbalance you have makes things nasty. Not to mention all the loose mass wanting to go 'downhill' adding to the imbalance. It would probably all happen very quickly and if they're not buttoned up tight they could take on too much water...