---
kind: "section"
citation: "18 U.S.C. § 2273"
title: "18"
title_heading: "Crimes and Criminal Procedure"
number: "2273"
heading: "Destruction of vessel by nonowner"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/18/2273"
units:
  - "Part I — Crimes"
  - "Chapter 111 — Shipping"
---

# §2273. Destruction of vessel by nonowner


[Whoever](/usc/18/921.md?p=a-1), not being an [owner](/usc/18/1839.md?p=4), upon the high seas or on any other waters within the admiralty and maritime jurisdiction of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9), willfully and [corruptly](/usc/18/1515.md?p=b) casts away or otherwise destroys any vessel of the [United States](/usc/18/229F.md?p=9) to which he belongs, or willfully attempts the destruction thereof, shall be imprisoned not more than ten years.


## Source credit

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 804.)

## Notes

### 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.