[central_va]

There is a misconception that an aircraft carriers is frail fragile thing. Let me tell you they are not and can take a tremendous beating and stay afloat. It takes a lot, short of a nuclear blast, to actually get one to sink if the water tight doors have been set. They are a honey comb of compartments and passageways....

[nathanbedford]

Bismarck was hardly a frail or fragile thing… Until a torpedo took out its rudder. The Repulse and the Prince of Wales were sunk in minutes. Yes, I am aware of the terrible punishment Lexington and Yorktown sustained before sinking and the astonishing pounding Enterprise endured without sinking. But I don't think even a modern Nimitz class carrier would fare well if struck by a bunker busting bomb or if it sustained a lucky hit.

I am not speaking of today's realities but the future nature of sea warfare.