The Requin
May 14th, 2008by: Raul Colon
The relative obscure Requin (Shark) class of submarines had its origin in the French Navy’s experience during the Great War. In that complex military campaign, France demonstrated a near complete dependency on Great Britain’s submarine force for transportation and offensive/defensive engagements. A fact clearly demonstrated on the failed Gallipoli Expedition. The lead boat of the class, the Requin, was laid in the spring of 1923. Launched in July 19th 1924, the boat’s hull measured 256’-7” with a beam of 22’-6”. Its conning tower had a height of 16’-9”. The sub displaced 990 tons on the surface and 1441 ton while submerge. A twin screw configuration was powered by a set of diesel-electric engines. This configuration gave the Requin a top speed of 15 knots on the surface and just above 9 knots underwater. With its full complement of fuel, the sub was able to operate at a distance of 5650 nautical miles utilizing a 10 knots average speed. A crew of 54 officers and men was needed to adequate operated this new French boat. But the most impressive feature of this remarkable sub was its torpedo tube alignment. Ten 27.7” tubes were fitted in the forward and aft section of the submarine. The Requin was officially commissioned in the summer of 1926.
Eventually, nine subs made up the Requin class. The complete class was refitted and modernized between the fall of 1935 and the summer of 1937. When war broke out in Europe in 1939, the whole class was activated for combat operations. When the Germans invaded France they went on to seize the bulk of the fleet. They got the Requin, Espadon, Dauphin and Phoque in December 1942. Although all these boats were in German hands, none of them became operational while serving the Nazi regime. In fact, the four were broken up years later. The Morse sank of Sfax when it hit submerge mine on June 10th, 1940. On the 29th of the same month, the Souffleur was spotted and sank by the Royal Navy’s submarine Parthian near the Palestine coast. Narval was also sunk by a mine en route to the island fortress of Malta in December 15th, 1940. The last surviving boats, the Marsouin and Caiman were able to escape the Allied landings in North Africa in 1942. Both managed to made the major French naval base at Toulon were they were scuttled. @
Raul Colon
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big boat for a medium size class (compared to its contemporaries). Its hull was 188’-8” in length with a beam of 23’-6”. One massive 1,200hp petrol engine gave the Scuka a top surface speed of 12.5 knots, while for undersea operations a 450hp electrical engine propelled the boat at a clip of 6.5 knots. Four 21” torpedo tubes were placed on the bow section. These were augmented by a pair of 21” mounted on the stern. Up to a total of twelve torpedoes were carried aboard the sub. For surface engagement, two 1.77” guns were placed on the sub deck. A total of fifty officers and submariners were needed to manage the Scuka.
Surfacing for the last time after more than thirty years of front line service, the USS Ronquil (SS-396), a Balao Class submarine, moved smoothly through the United States Navy Seven Fleet’s ships anchored at San Diego Bay, California. She would be decommisioned for the second and last time under the United States’ flag. In a few days, a ceremony would be held on one of San Diego’s Bay port officially transfering the SS-396 to the Spanish crown. As the memorable ship put to port, seamen, officers and visitors alike were all at awe. The sight of one of the Navy’s last diesel powered submarine calling port for the last time was emotional. The SS Ronquil was a proud member of the longest running submarine class in the US Navy: the amazing Balao Class. Born out of necessity during the later stages of World War II, the Balao boats went on to have a distinguish career during WW II as well as on post war operations. It is a testament to the wisdom of their designers that the last combat active boat of the class was finally decommisioned in the spring of 1996, more than fifty years after its conception!
launched for sea trials. Finally on April 22nd, 1944; the 396 was officially commissioned to the US Navy. The boat remained on active duty after the war and in May 1952 was briefly de-commissioned. After refitting and a major system overhaul, the Ronquil was back to active duty, less than a year after being removed from it. The SS-396 went on to serve undisturbed until that July morning in 1971 when she was transferred to the Spanish government. Many fine seamen and officers served on the boat during its long and distinguish service career. One of those brave men is Submarine Sonar Technician (STS2-SS) 2nd Class David Barleen. Recently I had the opportunity to communicate with Mr. Barleen regarding his service aboard the Ronquil. He was very kind in sharing some of his recollection about this incredible submarine.
His first combat patrol was on the Ronquil in 1965. At the time, the boat was based at Yokosuka Naval Base as part of the Seventh Fleet forward deployment elements. He saw extensive action during the Vietnam War when the SS-396 was assigned to “data accumulation (visual, audible and electronic)” all over the vast Pacific Ocean. Mr. Barleen would not elaborate on the boat’s primarily mission profile, but it is understated that the Ronquil was an intelligence gathering platform. He pointed out that the boat had a “current” and “fit” electronic surveillance package, which could only emphasize the nature of the sub’s missions. On regular patrols, the Ronquil’s carried a crew complement of 75 men, a few more on irregular ones. I questioned Mr. Barleen regarding the sub’s possible aggressive engagements with other submarines, but again, he was evasive, most likely due to the Ronquil’s sensitive mission profile. His only comment was that the SS-396 performed “evasive measures” when confronted. David went on to serve with the SS Ronquil until 1967. After completing his Navy tour, he went back to college. Now the once young sonar technician operated his own manufacturing company. I finish the interview asking him what were his feelings when hear of that the SS-396 would be decommisioned and although he was not part of the ceremony, he did commented that it was a “sad day”. A comment shared by many of the fine crewmen who serve on this remarkable boat.
