The "Birkenhead" was laid down at John Laird's shipyard at Birkenhead as the frigate HMS "Vulcan", but renamed soon after to "Birkenhead" after the town where she was built.
The "Birkenhead" was laid down at John Laird's shipyard at Birkenhead as the frigate HMS "Vulcan". While she was under construction two factors came into play that resulted in her being converted into a troopship and renamed "Birkenhead" after the town where she was built.