Jettison

Defined in 5 dictionaries — Cyclopedic (1922), Ballentine's (1916), Bouvier (1914), Black's (1910), Kinney (1893)

The Cyclopedic Law Dictionary

Walter A. Shumaker and George Foster Longsdorf; ed. James C. Cahill · 1922

The throwing overboard of part of the cargo, or any article on board a ship, or the cutting and casting away of masts, spars, rigging, sails, or other furniture, for the purpose of lightening or relieving the ship in case of necessity or emergency. Gourlie, Gen. Av. 74.

In its largest sense, it signifies any throwing overboard; but, in its ordinary sense, it means throwing overboard for the preservation of the ship and cargo, and most jurists treat of it in this sense under the head of general average. 3 B. & Aid. 400, Termes de la Ley, Jetsam.

Ballentine's Law Dictionary

James A. Ballentine · 1916

The throwing goods overboard for the preservation of the ship and cargo. See 86 Am. Dec. 500, note.

Bouvier's Law Dictionary and Concise Encyclopedia

John Bouvier; revised by Francis Rawle · 1914

JEtSAM. The casting out of a vessel, from necessity, a part of the lading. The thing so cast out It differs from flotsam In this, that in the latter the goods float, while in the former The jettison must be made for sufficient cause, and not for groundless timidity; Brauer V. Campania Navlgacion La Flecha, 66 Fed. 776, 14 C. C. A. 88; The Hugo, 67 Fed. 403. It must be made in a case of extremity, when the ship is in danger of perishing by the fury of a storm, or is laboring upon rocks or shallows, or is closely pursued by pirates or enemies. If the residue of the cargo be saved by such sacrifice, the property saved is bound to pay a proportion of the loss. In ascertaining such average loss, the goods lost and saved are both to be valued at the price they would have brought at the place of delivery on the ship’s arrival there, freight, duties, and other charges being deducted; Marsh. Ins. 246; 3 Kent 185; Park. Ins. 123; Pothier, Chartepartie, n. 108; Boulay-Paty, Dr. Com. tit. 13; Pardessus, Dr. Com. n. 734; The Nimrod, 1 Ware 9, Fed. Cas. No. 10,267, The owner of a cargo jettisoned has a maritime lien on the vessel for the contributory share from the vessel on an adjustment of the average, which may be enforced by a proceeding in venue in the admiralty; Dupont de Nemours & Co. V. Vance, 19 How. (U. S.) 162, 16 L. Ed. 584; 2 Pars. Marlt. Law, 373. See Abbott; Kay, Shipping; Average; Adjustment; Derelict.

Black's Law Dictionary

Henry Campbell Black, M.A. · 1910

The act of throwing overboard from a vessel part of the cargo, in case of extreme danger, to lighten the ship. The same name is also given to the thing or things so cast out. Gray v. Wain, 2 Serg. & In (Pat) 254, 7 Am. Dec. 642; Butler v. Wildman, 3 Barn. & Aid. 326; Barnard v. Adams, 10 How. 303, 13 L. Ed. 417. A carrier by water may, when in case of extreme peril it is necessary for the safety of the ship or cargo, throw overboard, or otherwise sacrifice, any or all of the cargo or appurtenancos of the ship. Throwing property overboard for such purpose is called "jettison," and the loss incurred thereby is called a "general average loss." Civil Code Cui. § 2148; Civil Code Dak. § 1245.

A Law Dictionary and Glossary

George C. Kinney · 1893

jetson, jettezoon. The goods, in a case of extreme peril, to