Originally Posted by RustyBattleship

Well, this is going to be a little tricky. It has to do with the torpedo hit on the USS North Carolina. The torpedo hit just below the armor belt and directly to the port side of Turret I.

Since the powder magazines are in that exact area, why didn't the ship blow up like the Arizona did?

I have not seen any answer in writing, BUT the answer I'm looking for is based upon DIRECT testimony from one of my co-workers who was a Marine on board and manning his 40 mm mount at the time.