The SS Willem III was a significant early steamship built for the Dutch shipping company Stoomvaart Maatschappij Nederland (SMN). As the lead vessel of the Willem III class, she was constructed by John Elder & Co. of Govan on the River Clyde, with her launch occurring on 8 March 1871. She measured approximately 320 feet in length, with a beam of 39 feet and a draught of 21 feet 2 inches. Her gross tonnage was around 2,600 tons, and her overall external length was about 97.53 meters, with a beam of nearly 12 meters and a hold depth of 9.775 meters. Powered by compound steam engines of the Wolf system, rated at 400 nominal horsepower and effective 1,600 indicated horsepower, she was capable of consuming about 20 tons of coal daily. Her screw propeller was of the Hirsch system, facilitating efficient long-distance travel. The vessel was designed to carry both cargo and passengers, with accommodations for 90 first-class and 30 second-class passengers. The luxurious first-class saloon included dining facilities, a ladies' room, a children's room, and a library, reflecting her role in establishing a premium service to the Dutch East Indies. Her construction was closely linked to the expansion of the Suez Canal, which opened in 1869, making steamships like Willem III essential for profitable eastward voyages. She was equipped with extensive onboard facilities, including ice-rooms, a butchery, a map room, a pharmacy, and various storage spaces, along with deck sheds for livestock. Willem III's service was marked by her tragic burning on her maiden voyage in May 1871, near the Isle of Wight. A fire erupted in a first-class passenger cabin, spreading rapidly and causing chaos among passengers and crew. Despite efforts to evacuate via lifeboats—assisted by soldiers, naval officers, and other aid—many soldiers and some passengers remained on board as the ship burned. She was eventually towed to Portsmouth, where salvage operations recovered her cargo and parts of her structure. The ship was deemed unfit for repair, and her wreck was auctioned in January 1872, fetching £20,500. Subsequently, the vessel was repaired and renamed Quang Se, later sold to William Houston, and then to A.C. Gow & Co., becoming part of the Glen Line as the Glenorchy. Throughout her commercial career, she operated mainly between London, China, and the Dutch East Indies, serving various cargo and passenger routes. Her history reflects the evolution of steamship technology and maritime commerce in the late 19th century, as well as the hazards faced during early long-distance sea voyages.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.