A torpedo is definitely the way to go for a sure kill. Missiles are not a sure thing depending on where the strike hits. A target ship, the Ashtabula, a retired oiler, shows how hard it is to sink a ship. Granted, it had all fuel removed and therfore wouldn’t burn or explode.

” In all, the oiler was subjected to eight Harpoon missiles, two Standard (SM-2) missiles, three Sea Skua missiles, four bombs from S-3 Vikings, and over 100 rounds of gunfire from 3″, 100mm, and 5″ guns. The ship was then sunk by demolition charges as it refused to sink!!”

Pictures and more data here about half way down the page
http://www.hazegray.org/features/mareisland/

The original clip at the head of post isn’t very good at showing the damage and other stuff we like to see. It was edited by the BBC to fit in a “Drop the dead donkey” slot at the end of the news when nothing else is going on. There are some decent Torp tests on You tube or LiveLeak, search for Type 48 Torpedo and your dreams will be answered.