Title 50War and National DefenseRelease 119-73

§226 Protection of liens on condemned vessels

Title 50 › Chapter CHAPTER 13— - INSURRECTION › § 226

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

For vessels or property taken under insurrection laws, the court must pay valid claims from the sale proceeds before giving the rest to the United States or an informer. Only loyal U.S. citizens or citizens of friendly foreign countries may file claims that could have been enforced against that vessel under U.S. law or the law of the state where the claim began if that state was not in insurrection; claims are barred if the claimant knowingly used the vessel illegally.

Full Legal Text

Title 50, §226

War and National Defense — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

In all cases wherein any vessel, or other property, is condemned in any proceeding by virtue of any laws relating to insurrection or rebellion, the court rendering judgment of condemnation shall, notwithstanding such condemnation, and before awarding such vessel, or other property, or the proceeds thereof, to the United States, or to any informer, first provide for the payment, out of the proceeds of such vessel, or other property, of any bona fide claims which shall be filed by any loyal citizen of the United States, or of any foreign state or power at peace and amity with the United States, intervening in such proceeding, and which shall be duly established by evidence, as a valid claim against such vessel, or other property, under the laws of the United States or of any State thereof not declared to be in insurrection. No such claim shall be allowed in any case where the claimant has knowingly participated in the illegal use of such ship, vessel, or other property. This section shall extend to such claims only as might have been enforced specifically against such vessel, or other property, in any State not declared to be in insurrection, wherein such claim arose.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Codification R.S. § 5322 derived from act Mar. 3, 1863, ch. 90, 12 Stat. 762.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

50 U.S.C. § 226

Title 50War and National Defense

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73