After the Netherlands had regained their independence in 1813, the United Kingdom returned the former Dutch possessions in nowadays Indonesia and Malaysia.

The English were soon encroaching on their territory and founded Singapore in 1819, causing huge damage to Dutch interests.

Without actual control of more remote parts of the Indonesian archipelago, other states could occupy territory without immediately coming to blows with the Dutch military.

On 1 January 1842 these were: The guard ship Van Speijk (later Medusa), The medium frigates Bellona (44) and Rotterdam (28), the corvettes Triton (28).

Argo (32), and Boreas (28), the brigs Koerier (18), Panter (18), Meermin (18), Vliegende Visch (14), Postillon (14) and two other brigs, 10 schooners, 5 row-gunboats, the paddle-steamer Phoenix (7), and the iron paddle-steamers Banda (ex-Hekla) and Etna (ex-Ternate).

On 5 July 1842 the navy schooner Krokodil was attacked in Bali Strait by 7 pirate ships which tried to board her.

These each had two 22 cm grenade guns and six medium 30-pounder cannon, 220 nominal hp, and displaced 1,367 t. The later influential writer M.H.

He described the ideal type of steamship for the Indies as a 450-550 hp ship, modeled on Bromo, and with suitable arrangements to embark and land troops.

It was noted to be faster than other steamships of the Dutch navy[12] The class had three masts with a barque sail plan.

[13] Nevertheless, in Surabaya construction of 'a paddle-steamer first class of 300 hp (type Amsterdam)' was started.