The first ship of the SMN, "SS Willem III" arrived in Nieuwdiep on 8 May 1871. She left for the East Indies on 17 May, but was burnt and beached near Wight two days later. She was insured for 800,000 guilders, and so SMN suffered a heavy loss, but could order a new ship to replace her. This would become "Koning der Nederlanden". The second ship of the SMN was "SS Prins van Oranje". She arrived in Batavia on 9 September 1871. She started her return voyage on 15 October, but got so much trouble with her propellers, that her return was delayed to 30 December 1871. The delay and the repeated repairs led to a significant loss. The third ship of the company was "Prins Hendrik". She arrived in Nieuwdiep on 2 November 1871 under Captain Hendriks, and was noted to be much longer than the previous two ships. She left Nieuwediep on 19 November 1871, and arrived in Batavia on 29 December 1871.