The propulsion system consisted of two coal-fired cylindrical boilers supplying steam to a four-cylinder triple expansion engine, connected to a single propeller shaft.

Maximum speed was 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph), and the ship could achieve a range of 2,000 nautical miles (3,700 km; 2,300 mi).

Nasturtium was laid down for the Royal Navy by A. McMillan and Sons, Dumbarton, Scotland on 1 July 1915 with yard number 464.

The Rear Admiral of Patrols based at Fort Rinella ordered the sloop to search for mines and submarines.

At 19:10 she ended up in the same minefield as the Russell and struck a mine which exploded 7 feet below the waterline on her starboard side close to the foremost funnel.