The Great Tank vs. Spearman Challenge

[DarkwingGT]

I can buy the fact that a randomizer might include such incidents as hitting stored ammunition and such, but the Maine was sitting in a harbor doing absolutely nothing. It wasn't in combat, so the chance of a stray shot hitting explosives was nil. Therefore it has nothing to do with combat.

But like I said, if your point is that luck happens, I agree. I'm just saying the Maine was a bad example as it's not relevant.

 

[Zachriel]

Originally posted by DarkwingGT
But like I said, if your point is that luck happens, I agree. I'm just saying the Maine was a bad example as it's not relevant.

Nevertheless, the Maine was lost. Rightly or wrongly, the loss of the Maine was the first "battle" of an all-out war.

If a battleship (Maine), or a modern sub (Kursk) can be lost in peacetime, then what about during war, when sailors are stressed, the stakes are high, chances are taken?