1. A ship’s wreckage. [Cases: Shipping 212. C.J.S. Shipping § 520.]
2. The injury or destruction of a vessel because of circumstances beyond the owner’s control, rendering the vessel incapable of carrying out its mission.
“There are two kinds of shipwreck: (1.) When the vessel sinks or is dashed to pieces. (2.) When she is stranded, which is, when she grounds and fills with water. The latter may terminate in shipwreck, or may not, and it depends on circumstances whether it will or will not justify an abandonment.” 4 James Kent, Commentaries on American Law *323 n. (b) (George Comstock ed., 11th ed. 1866).
