US Laws, Codes, Statutes & Cases

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[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 18USC2271]

 
                 TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
 
                             PART I--CRIMES
 
                          CHAPTER 111--SHIPPING
 
Sec. 2271. Conspiracy to destroy vessels

    Whoever, on the high seas, or within the United States, willfully 
and corruptly conspires, combines, and confederates with any other 
person, such other person being either within or without the United 
States, to cast away or otherwise destroy any vessel, with intent to 
injure any person that may have underwritten or may thereafter 
underwrite any policy of insurance thereon or on goods on board thereof, 
or with intent to injure any person that has lent or advanced, or may 
lend or advance, any money on such vessel on bottomry or respondentia; 
or
    Whoever, within the United States, builds, or fits out any vessel to 
be cast away or destroyed, with like intent--
    Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten 
years, or both.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 803; Pub. L. 103-322, title XXXIII, 
Sec. 330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)


                      Historical and Revision Notes

    Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 487 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 
321, Sec. 296, 35 Stat. 1146).
    Mandatory punishment provision was rephrased in the alternative.
    Reference to a person who ``aids in building or fitting out any 
vessel'' was omitted as unnecessary in view of section 2 making all 
aiders guilty as principal.
    Changes in phraseology were made.


                               Amendments

    1994--Pub. L. 103-322 substituted ``fined under this title'' for 
``fined not more than $10,000'' in last par.