Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: across-the-board
Term: WRECK
Definition: A wreck is when a ship crashes and sinks in the water. Sometimes, things from the ship wash up on shore and are left there for a year. If no one claims these things, they become the property of whoever finds them.
Definition: A wreck is a ship that has been destroyed or damaged by a storm or other accident at sea. It can also refer to the goods that are cast ashore from a wrecked vessel and not claimed by the owner within a specified period (such as one year).
Example: The Titanic is one of the most famous shipwrecks in history. It sank in 1912 after hitting an iceberg, and more than 1,500 people died. The wreckage of the ship was discovered in 1985.
Example: After a shipwreck, the goods that are washed ashore are often considered "wreckage." If these goods are not claimed by the owner within a certain period of time, they may be sold or auctioned off.
These examples illustrate the two different meanings of the term "wreck." The first example refers to a ship that has been destroyed or damaged, while the second example refers to the goods that are cast ashore from a wrecked vessel. Both examples show how a wreck can have serious consequences, whether it's the loss of human life or the loss of valuable cargo.