US EditionChinese Farmer's Homebuilt Submarine 'Big Black Fish' Completes Successful River Trials
ANHUI PROVINCE, CHINA, JUL 17 – Zhang Shengwu built a two-person submarine that can dive eight meters and stay underwater for 30 minutes, inspired by TV footage despite initial family opposition.
- Zhang Shengwu, a 60-year-old farmer in Anhui province, launched his homemade submarine named Big Black Fish into a local river on July 2, 2025.
- His interest began in 2014 after seeing submarine construction on TV, prompting him to build a sub despite his wife's opposition and lack of formal training.
- He spent 5,000 yuan on materials to build a first prototype in secret, later upgrading to a five-ton, seven-meter steel craft with ballast tanks and concrete ballast.
- The Big Black Fish can dive eight meters, accommodate two people, travel at four knots, and stay submerged for 30 minutes, though Zhang fears leakage and wants it to go deeper.
- Zhang plans to build an even bigger submarine, demonstrating growing grassroots innovation despite limited resources, though such projects differ greatly from advanced military subs.
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Leaning Left3Leaning Right2Center9Last UpdatedBias Distribution64% Center
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64% Center
L 21%
C 64%
14%
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