wreck

To destroy, disable, or seriously damage. To reduce to a wreck or ruinous state by any kind of violence; to overthrow, shatter, or destroy; to cause to crash or suffer ruin, synonymous with ruin, smash, and demolish. Its antonyms are save, salvage, and preserve. Destruction, disorganization, or serious injury of anything, especially by violence. Houston Printing Co. v. Hunter, Tex.Civ.App., 105 S.W.2d 312, 317.

Goods cast ashore by the sea, and not claimed by the owner within a year, or other specified period; which, in such case, become the property of the state. The term applies to property cast upon land by the sea; to jetsam, flotsam, and ligan.

Common law.

Goods cast ashore from a wrecked vessel, where no person has escaped from the wreck alive; and which are forfeited to the crown, or to persons having the franchise of wreck. But if claimed by the true owner within a year and a day the goods, or their proceeds, must be restored to him, by virtue of stat.

Maritime law.

A ship becomes a wreck when, in consequence of injuries received, she is rendered absolutely unnavigable, or unable to pursue her voyage, without repairs exceeding the half of her value. Wood v. Lincoln & Kennebeck Ins. Co., 6 Mass. 479, 482.

A "wrecked vessel", however, in common phraseology, includes a sunken vessel. 33 U.S.C.A. No. 409 prescribes the duties of owners of wrecked vessels