A guard ship is a warship stationed at some port or harbour to act as a guard, and in former times in the Royal Navy to receive the men impressed for service. She usually was the flagship of the admiral commanding on the coast.
A guard-boat is a boat which goes the round of a fleet at anchor to see that due watch is kept at night.
In Soviet terminology a guard ship (Storozhevoj Korabl') is a small, general purpose patrol and/or escort vessel.
An example of a guard ship is HMS Clyde (P257) which is stationed in the Falkland Islands.
Famous quotes containing the words guard and/or ship:
“Most of us are aware of and pretend to detest the barefaced instances of that hypocrisy by which men deceive others, but few of us are upon our guard or see that more fatal hypocrisy by which we deceive and over-reach our own hearts.”
—Laurence Sterne (1713–1768)
“Have you built your ship of death, O have you?
O build your ship of death, for you will need it.”
—D.H. (David Herbert)