The Rotterdam-based trading company Saint-Martin exported flax from Friesland. In 1855 they bought two steamers for practical reasons, the Leeuwarden I and the Leeuwarden II. In 1860 the steamers started to accept freight from others, effectively becoming a 'beurtvaart' service between the northern provinces of the Netherlands and Rotterdam, via the transportation hub of Amsterdam. The company expanded, took over a competitor and bought several more ships.
