Creek

mar. law, is defined to be a place where officers commonly are or have been placed for prevention only, and which are not in general lawful places of exportation or importation without particular license from the port or member under which they are placed. 1 Chit. Com. Law, 726; Postlewaite's Com. Dict. h. t.; and see Hale's Tract. de Portibus Maris, part 2, c.

1, vol. 1, page 46.

It is, according to Lord Hale, only an inlet from the sea, or a narrow passage with the shore on each side of it, whether within the precincts or extent of a port or without, and which gives no harbours to ships, and is endowed with no privileges.

Com. Dig. Navigation, C; Callis, 34.