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I am not a naval expert either, but I doubt that Iraq installed sonar on three merchant ships. The first time that Achmed and Abdul realize that they've been torpedoed will be when the see the virgins.

As for the aftermath of a sinking on their contents, I would think that any nuclear material might be shielded well enough to survive the sinking unless they are indeed suicide sailors and don't mind the radiation exposure. I have no idea what effect dilution with seawater might have on Sarin or anthrax.

Never underestimate a determined enemy.

I doubt they would install active sonar, you're right. But passive would be easy and cheap. The human ear, in a cargo hold, could hear the whine of a torp IF they were listening for them. Not that they could hear much above the noise level of their own vessel, truthfully.

Point is, if they detected the torps, visually or audibly, then they might detonate/launch on warning.

Secondly, a 35000 ton vessel is roughly four times the size of an Arleigh Burke -- the first explosion, or even the second and third might not cause so much damage that the vessel slips beneath the waves in 30 seconds or less. A suicidal crew might have time to 'push the button'.

Lastly, a long held axiom is that 'the solution to pollution is dilution'. Several tons of any toxin dispersed in enough seawater (or enough of the atmosphere) is eventually harmless. So the risk to the biome in the open ocean is fairly low. In the confined seas they are reportedly in today, it might be a different story. why take that risk as a first resort? GO for seizure.

I stand by my thought that the perps will likely have martyrs' intentions and will blow up/launch/disperse on warning. If you could plot a solution where maybe 6 - 10 Mk 48s hit the vessel within a few seconds of each other, then I'd agree that was enough force employed. Three spread under the keel, two at the waterline near the bridge, port AND starboard [to shock/knock over/kill human crew where they are likely to be], and three to rip the bow off and send the vessel rapidly under the waves.

Spectacular, but I still like the idea of seizure best.