Wreck
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States · John Bouvier · 1839
A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States
mar. law. A wreck (called in law-latin wreccum maris, and in law French wrec de mer) sigand left there within some county, so as not to belong to the jurisdiction of the admiralty, but to the common law.
2 Inst. 167; Bract. 1. 3,c. 3; Mirror, c. 1,8. 13, and c. 3.
Butifa human being, or even an animal, as a dog, cat, hawk, &c. escape alive from the ship, or if there be any marks upon the goods by which they may be known again, they are not at common law considered as wrecked.
5 Burr. 2738, 9; 2 Chit. Com. Law, c. 6, p. 102; 2 Kent, Com. 292; 32 Vin. Ab. 535; 1 Bro. Civ. Law, 238; Park, Ins. Index, h. t.; Molloy, Jur. Mar. Index, h. t.