7 Shocking Secrets Of The USS Requin: The Pittsburgh Submarine That Almost Sank And Changed Naval History
Moored permanently on the Ohio River in Pittsburgh, the USS Requin (SS-481) is far more than just a decommissioned warship; it is a time capsule of American naval innovation and a testament to the high-stakes drama of the Cold War. As of late 2025, this Tench-class submarine remains the most immersive and unique exhibit at the Kamin Science Center, offering visitors a chillingly authentic glimpse into the cramped, tense world of a mid-century submariner. Its story is one of dual identities, near-catastrophe, and a technological revolution that forever altered the role of the submarine.
The Requin, whose name is French for 'shark,' was one of the last American fleet submarines built during World War II, but its true legacy was forged in the decades that followed. Its transformation into the Navy’s first-ever dedicated Radar Picket submarine redefined its mission from a stealthy hunter to a vital early-warning sentinel, making its presence in the heart of Pittsburgh a profound symbol of the nation's defense history. The ongoing preservation and planned riverfront revitalization projects ensure that the stories locked within its steel hull continue to resonate with new generations.
USS Requin (SS-481) Biography and Technical Specifications
The USS Requin (SS-481) is a celebrated example of the Tench-class submarine, a highly successful line of diesel-electric attack submarines developed late in World War II. Her journey from the shipyard to her final resting place as a museum ship in Pittsburgh is a concise history of the U.S. Navy's post-war evolution.
- Name: USS Requin (SS-481)
- Nickname: "The Shark" (from the French word requin)
- Class: Tench-class Fleet Submarine
- Builder: Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine
- Laid Down: August 24, 1944
- Launched: January 1, 1945 (on a frigid New Year's Day)
- Commissioned: April 28, 1945, with Captain Slade D. Cutter assuming command.
- Original Displacement: 1,570 tons surfaced; 2,414 tons submerged.
- Length: 311 feet, 9 inches.
- Power Plant: Four Fairbanks Morse 10-cylinder diesel-electric generators driving two screws.
- Armament (Original): 10 Torpedo Tubes (six forward, four aft), deck guns, and anti-aircraft guns.
- Reclassification: Converted to a Radar Picket Submarine (SSR-481) in 1946.
- Decommissioned: December 3, 1968.
- Museum Ship Status: Docked at the Carnegie Science Center (now Kamin Science Center) since 1990.
The Dual Life: From WWII Hunter to Cold War Sentinel (SSR-481)
The Requin's naval career is defined by a dramatic shift in mission that occurred almost immediately after its commissioning. While launched in the final months of World War II, the submarine arrived too late to see combat in the Pacific Theater. This twist of fate set the stage for its groundbreaking second life.
The Birth of the Radar Picket Submarine
In the tense aftermath of the war, the U.S. Navy recognized a critical vulnerability: the need for an early warning system against enemy air and missile threats, particularly from the Soviet Union during the escalating Cold War. The solution was the "Radar Picket" program.
In 1946, the Requin became the first submarine to undergo this radical conversion, a process known as the Migraine II program. The transformation was extensive and visually striking. The aft torpedo tubes and deck guns were removed to accommodate the new equipment.
The most significant addition was a large mast housing powerful surface and air-search radar equipment, which could be raised above the water while the submarine remained submerged. This new classification, SSR-481, meant the Requin was no longer a pure attack submarine but a mobile, stealthy radar station, capable of extending the fleet's defensive perimeter by hundreds of miles.
The Requin's primary Cold War role was to patrol distant waters, silently detecting and tracking potential enemy aircraft or missiles, effectively serving as the Navy's eyes and ears far from the main fleet. This pioneering role was later replaced by dedicated surface ships and airborne early warning aircraft, and the Requin's radar picket designation was diminished by 1959.
The Near-Disaster and Enduring Mysteries of the Hull
Life aboard a submarine is inherently dangerous, and the Requin has its own unique tales of peril that add a layer of gripping realism to the museum experience. One such event is a story often recounted by veterans: the "Buoyancy Error" that nearly ended her career prematurely.
The Buoyancy Error That Almost Doomed Her
While specific operational narratives are often classified, the incident of the buoyancy error is a well-known near-disaster in the boat's history. Submarines rely on precise control of ballast and trim to maintain neutral buoyancy and depth. A miscalculation or equipment failure in this critical system can be catastrophic, leading to an uncontrolled plunge or a violent surface breach. Veterans who served on the *Requin* in the 1960s often speak of the exacting standards and the unforgiving nature of a mistake in the control room.
This harrowing experience highlights the constant, life-or-death pressure faced by the crew and serves as a powerful reminder of the unforgiving environment in which these sailors operated. The fact that the Requin survived and continued its service is a testament to the skill and rapid response of its crew.
The Pittsburgh Legacy: Kamin Science Center and Restoration
After being decommissioned in 1968 and briefly used as a training vessel, the Requin was towed to Pittsburgh in 1990 to become a permanent exhibit at what was then the Carnegie Science Center.
Today, the submarine is a centerpiece of the newly renamed Kamin Science Center, and its status is one of constant preservation. Unlike a static museum piece, the Requin is an active restoration project. The Science Center staff continues to explore and restore areas of the sub, making new discoveries decades after its arrival.
Recent updates in late 2025 confirm that the Requin is central to the Kamin Science Center’s ambitious Riverfront Revitalization Project. This plan aims to redesign the entire riverfront area alongside the submarine, enhancing the visitor experience and ensuring the long-term structural integrity of the historic vessel moored on the Ohio River.
The immersive exhibit allows visitors to walk through the torpedo room, the engine room, and the cramped crew quarters, vividly illustrating the challenges of naval life. The Science Center also hosts annual memorial ceremonies aboard the Requin, honoring the lost sailors and submarines, making it a living memorial for the Submarine Veterans community.
The B-25 Bomber Mystery
Adding to the intrigue of the Requin's Cold War context is a local Pittsburgh mystery that the Kamin Science Center has integrated into the exhibit. The wreckage of a B-25 bomber, which crashed into the nearby Monongahela River in 1956, is often discussed in relation to the Cold War-era tensions that the Requin was built to counter. The exhibit uses this local event to deepen the understanding of the era's pervasive sense of threat and secrecy.
The USS Requin (SS-481) is a rare and powerful educational tool. It not only teaches visitors about the technical marvels of a Tench-class submarine but also about the complex geopolitical history of the 20th century. From its unfulfilled WWII role to its pioneering service as the Navy's first Radar Picket, the Requin stands as a monumental piece of living history, continuously maintained and celebrated on the Pittsburgh riverfront.
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