gunboat
/ˈɡʌnbəʊt
/noun
A small fast ship with guns mounted on it, for use in shallow coastal waters and rivers.These colonial naval forces consisted in the main of torpedo boats, gunboats and other small craft....
- He confirmed that Royal Navy gunboats will patrol British waters on the hunt for illegal refugees and asylum seekers.
- The Polish Navy consisted of four destroyers, five submarines, two gunboats, a mine-layer and six mine sweepers - which meant that any German attack from the sea could not be repulsed.