 As part of her conversion to a troopship in 1851 , a forecastle and poop deck were added to the Birkenhead to increase her accommodation , and a third mast added , to change her sail plan to a barquentine . Although she never served as a warship , she was faster and more comfortable than any of the wooden sail @-@ driven troopships of the time , making the trip from the Cape in 37 days in October 1850 . 
