SS Tropic (1871)

The SS Tropic was a passenger steamship built in 1871 by Harland and Wolff in Belfast, Ireland, for the White Star Line. It was one of four ships, known as the "Oceanic" class but smaller than the namesake Oceanic, intended to supplement White Star's transatlantic service following its establishment in 1869. The other three ships were the SS Asiatic, SS Atlantic, and SS Baltic (I).

The Tropic was built as a single-screw steamship with auxiliary sails. It was primarily intended for passenger and cargo transport between Liverpool and New York. However, due to the economic climate of the 1870s and competition from faster vessels, the Tropic was ultimately sold in 1873 to the Spanish company Compañía Transatlántica Española (also known as the Spanish Line or Pinillos Line).

Under Spanish ownership, the SS Tropic served primarily on routes between Spain and the Americas, including destinations in the Caribbean and South America. Its role shifted to serving largely immigrants and commercial needs between Spain and its former colonies. Details of its service life under Spanish ownership are somewhat scarce but it is understood to have had a relatively unremarkable career.

The ultimate fate of the SS Tropic is not precisely documented. It is believed to have been scrapped sometime in the late 19th century. The exact date and location of its dismantling are not widely available in historical records.