[1] Launched on 24 September 1888, she was developed in France following early experiments by Henri Dupuy de Lôme, and, after his death, by Gustave Zédé (1825–1891) and Arthur Krebs, who completed the project.

The submarine was built with a steel single hull, a detachable lead keel, and three hydroplanes on each side.

The original design was commissioned by Admiral Aube, commenced by Dupuy de Lôme before his death and completed by Gustave Zédé before his.

The keel was laid on 20 April 1887 at Mourillon Arsenal at Toulon operated by La Société des Forges et chantiers, of which company Zédé was a director.

[2] The boat was designed to operate underwater with a small positive buoyancy, so that without power and rudders driving it downwards it would tend to float to the surface.

Further rudders were added at the centre of the boat in 1893, which as well as improving stability meant that she remained more level as it dived.

[2] The original sixteen pole electric motor was designed by Captain Krebs to develop 55 horsepower (41 kW) at 200V and 200A.

[2] The boat was originally fitted with 564 Commelin-Bailhache-Desmazures alkaline cells[4] designed from the Lalande-Chaperon patent which used Zinc and copper oxide electrodes with potassium hydroxide electrolyte.

Diving was delayed by the need to fix or stow the periscope and water seals proved to be unreliable and on a couple of occasions led to dangerous flooding.

The boat was drydocked but a hatch was left open while the dock was being filled, allowing her to flood and sink on 19 June 1907.