In 1876, unusual rumors spread in Odessa. The city's residents noticed a large metal barrel in the port, connected to mechanical pumps. The public, unfamiliar with technology, assumed that workers were creating a reservoir for free beer at city celebrations. In reality, it was one of the first submarines of the Russian Empire, designed by engineer Stepan Dzevetsky.

The submarine's trials took place in 1878 but were not entirely successful. The watchman miscalculated the diving depth, and the boat ended up on the bottom. With great effort, it was raised, and upon surfacing, it turned out that there was only enough air for 20 minutes. Had the surfacing been delayed, the world might not have learned of the young engineer's talent. Dzevetsky took note of all the shortcomings and prepared more thoroughly for the next voyage.

During the second trials, Alexander III was present. The maneuvers took place in the clear waters of Silver Lake in Gatchina, where the royal family observed the boat from a skiff. Dzevetsky passed under their boat several times, approached a target raft, set a mine, and soon detonated it. After docking, he surprised the empress by presenting her with a bouquet of orchids. The sovereign highly appreciated the submarine and stated that it would be of great significance in the future and would cause a stir in naval battles.

The naval department ordered 50 boats from Dzevetsky, most of which went to the Black Sea Fleet. However, there was industrial espionage. The inventor ordered some parts from France and once, out of pride, showed the submarine's blueprints to his colleague Maurice Gubé. A few years later, the French built a similar boat.

Dzevetsky's submarines remained in service until the end of the Russo-Japanese War, after which they were decommissioned, making way for submarines of a new generation. The only model remained in Gatchina, near the lake where Dzevetsky gifted flowers to Alexander III's wife.