Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73
§2273 Destruction of vessel by nonowner
Title 18 › Part PART I— - CRIMES › Chapter CHAPTER 111— - SHIPPING › § 2273
Summary
Non-owners who destroy or try to destroy U.S. vessels on the high seas or in U.S. maritime waters can be jailed for up to ten years.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §2273
Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever, not being an owner, upon the high seas or on any other waters within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the United States, willfully and corruptly casts away or otherwise destroys any vessel of the United States to which he belongs, or willfully attempts the destruction thereof, shall be imprisoned not more than ten years.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 492 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 301, 35 Stat. 1147). Words “with intent to destroy the same, sets fire to any such vessel, or otherwise” following “willfully” and preceding “attempts” were omitted as surplusage.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 2273
Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73