She was laid down at the Chatham dockyard on 15 October 1931, launched on 1 September 1932, completed on 13 June 1933, after 1945 laid up in the reserve fleet, between 1952-1954 modernised but again reserve and broken up in 1962. Building costs 333,595 pound sterling. Her sister ship was the Protector.
With a displacement of 2,860 tons were her dimensions 310 x 53 x 11 1/6 (mean)-12¼ maximum) and a length:beam ratio of 6:1. According to Jane’s Fighting Ships 1944/1945. According to Conway’s All the worlds fighting ships 1922-1946 was her displacement 2,860 tons standard and 3,665 tons deep load and her dimensions 338 (over all) x 53 x 13’10” (mean deep load).
Her crew numbered 181 men.The armament consisted during the Second World War of 2-4” anti aircraft guns and one multiple machinegun. According to Conway’s originally 2x1-4” quick firing guns later replaced by 1x2-4” quick firing guns. The main armament was situated aft and strengthened according to Conway’s by 14-2cm guns. The Parsons geared turbines and 2 Admiralty 3-drum type boilers from the Wallsend Company supplied 6,500 hp allowing a speed of 18 knots. The oil fuel capacity was 720 tons.
According to Jane’s Fighting Ships 1944/1945 page 88 “Designed designed for net laying and fleet photography work. The nets, sinkers and buoys are stowed to port and starboard, on the upper deck from just forwards of the main-mast under the forecastle deck to the stern. The structure aft, placed on the deck spanning the nets, is the photographic cabin. She is intended for instructional purposes and the laying of special barrages to protect the fleet as she accompanies.”. These barrages were removable and reusable.”. According to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Guardian_(1932) also suitable for towing of targets and gunnery photography.
