Boarding a Tench Class Submarine at the USS Requin

Published by Jeremy. Last Updated on November 7, 2019.

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Not every city can boast that they have their own submarine, which makes the USS Requin at the Carnegie Science Center one of Pittsburgh's most unusual attractions (and a personal favorite).

Visitors to this one can explore the submarine as either part of the Carnegie Science Center ticket or with an a la carte ticket in order to learn more about what life was like on a mid-20th century submarine!

How the USS Requin Came to Pittsburgh

USS Requin at the Carnegie Science Center

The USS Requin is a tench-class submarine and was launched in 1945 near the end of World War II; however, by the time the sub was about to deploy the war was over.

In the years that followed the vessel was outfitted as a radar picket submarine and had operations in Europe and the Caribbean, and was later reconfigured back to a battle submarine. The Requin was decommissioned in the late 1960s and was transferred to Tampa, Florida where it became a museum before ultimately being relocated to Pittsburgh in 1990 thanks to a bill introduced by Senator John Heinz.

Since then the submarine has been open for tours at the Carnegie Science Center and has been giving a fascinating look into what life aboard a submarine was like in the mid-20th century.

Touring a Submarine from the Mid-1900s

Onboard the USS Requin in Pittsburgh

As you descend into the USS Requin, you'll quickly note that the sub is designed to look like it would have when in operation in the mid-1900s.

During the brief self-guided tour you will be able to see the torpedo bay, living quarters, galley, communications, and other operational rooms as well. Each room contains period items ranging from clothing to canned goods, equipment to personal items, and really gives off the vibe that there is an active crew that could return back to their stations at any moment.

Dining on the USS Requin

While there are some signs which explain features of the rooms, information is a bit sparse here and allows for a much more exploratory feel of simply being in a submarine than a museum exhibit with notable details on posted placards.

Galley on USS Requin

Overall, the USS Requin is a rather interesting attraction in Pittsburgh and offers a unique look into life aboard a wartime submarine. When visiting the Science Center or walking on the North Shore River Trail, be sure to tour this one!

The USS Requin is located behind the Carnegie Science Center at 1 Allegheny Avenue. Admission is included with Carnegie Science Center tickets, and a cheaper ticket is available for those who only wish to tour the submarine on its own.

Looking for more unique attractions in Pittsburgh? Check out Bicycle Heaven or Randyland nearby!

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