Blockade

Blockade is where a belligerent power maintains such a naval force near the shore or ports of the other belligent as to prevent access to them, or, as it is sometimes put, the vessels must be so disposed that there is an evident danger in entering the port, or approaching the shore, notwithstanding that the blockading squadron may be accidentally absent for a time, e. g., from being blown off by the wind. Under the Declaration of Paris (q. v.), a blockade is not effective unless maintained by an adequate force. A blockade de facto is where the blockade has not been notified (as is usually done) by the belligerent to neutral governments, so that every approaching vessel has to be warned off by the squadron. Vessels attempting to pass a blockade are liable t(J confiscation. It is not necessary that the place should be invested by land as well as by sea; but a blockade by sea does not impair the right of neutrals to carry on a trade by land. 1 Kent, Comm. 147. A pacific blockade is the interruption of commercial intercourse with certain ports or coasts of a state to secure redress for an international wrong. Davis Int. L. 67.