From the Internet web site Quora the question is asked and answered.
"How effective were the Japanese Kamikaze pilots against the U.S navy during WWII?"
THE CONSENSUS [?] IS THAT THE SUICIDE ATTACK OF THE JAPANESE KAMIKAZE WAS:
"Initially effective, then became increasingly ineffective as the war progressed"
"According to a wartime Japanese propaganda announcement, the missions sank 81 ships and damaged 195"
Depending on who your source is the numbers of American naval vessels sunk or damaged by kamikaze attacks vary:
* "more than 70 U.S. vessels were 'sunk or damaged beyond repair'"
* "attackers sank 34 Navy ships, damaged 368 others"
* "a total of 57 ships sunk by kamikazes"
* "47 ships known to have been sunk by kamikaze aircraft."
THE KAMIKAZE SUICIDE BOMBER OF THE SECOND WORLD WAR IS THE ONLY INSTANCE IN RECORDED MILITARY HISTORY OF WHERE THE RESULTS WERE GREATER THAN THE CLAIMS. TAKING INTO ACCOUNT TOTAL OF SHIPS SUNK AND DAMAGED!!
"Her father embarked at sunrise
with a flask of water, a samurai sword
in the cockpit, a shaven head
full of powerful incantations
and enough fuel for a one-way
journey into history"
- - Beatrice Garland.
coolbert.