18 USC § 2272 - Destruction of vessel by owner

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t18/s2272"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "18 USC § 2272 - Destruction of vessel by owner"
title_number: 18
title_name: "CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "2272"
section_name: "Destruction of vessel by owner"
chapter_number: 111
chapter_name: "SHIPPING"
part_number: "I"
part_name: "CRIMES"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 803.)"
---


# § 2272. Destruction of vessel by owner

Whoever, 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 which he is owner, in whole or in part, with intent to injure any person that may underwrite any policy of insurance thereon, or any merchant that may have goods thereon, or any other owner of such vessel, shall be imprisoned for life or for any term of years.

---

**Source Credit**: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 803.)

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 491 (, ).