10 USC Ch. 883: PRIZE

From Title 10—ARMED FORCESSubtitle C—Navy and Marine CorpsPART IV—GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

CHAPTER 883—PRIZE

Sec.

8851.

Scope of chapter.

8852.

Jurisdiction.

8853.

Court in which proceedings brought.

8854.

Effect of failure to start proceedings.

8855.

Appointment of prize commissioners and special prize commissioners.

8856.

Duties of United States attorney.

8857.

Duties of commanding officer of capturing vessel.

8858.

Duties of prize master.

8859.

Libel and proceedings by United States attorney.

8860.

Duties of prize commissioners.

8861.

Interrogation of witnesses by prize commissioners.

8862.

Duties of marshal.

8863.

Prize property appropriated for the use of the United States.

8864.

Delivery of property on stipulation.

8865.

Sale of prize.

8866.

Mode of making sale.

8867.

Transfer of prize property to another district for sale.

8868.

Disposition of prize money.

8869.

Security for costs.

8870.

Costs and expenses a charge on prize property.

8871.

Payment of costs and expenses from prize fund.

8872.

Recaptures: award of salvage, costs, and expenses.

8873.

Allowance of expenses to marshals.

8874.

Payment of witness fees.

8875.

Commissions of auctioneers.

8876.

Compensation of prize commissioners and special prize commissioners.

8877.

Accounts of clerks of district courts.

8878.

Interfering with delivery, custody, or sale of prize property.

8879.

Powers of district court over prize property notwithstanding appeal.

8880.

Appeals and amendments in prize causes.

8881.

Reciprocal privileges to cobelligerent.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(e)(4), (f)(1), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1838, redesignated chapter 655 of this title as this chapter and items 7651 to 7681 as 8851 to 8881, respectively.

§8851. Scope of chapter

(a) This chapter applies to all captures of vessels as prize during war by authority of the United States or adopted and ratified by the President. However, this chapter does not affect the right of the Army, the Air Force, or the Space Force, while engaged in hostilities, to capture wherever found and without prize procedure—

(1) enemy property; or

(2) neutral property used or transported in violation of the obligations of neutrals under international law.

(b) As used in this chapter—

(1) "vessel" includes aircraft; and

(2) "master" includes the pilot or other person in command of an aircraft.

(c) Property seized or taken upon the inland waters of the United States by its naval forces is not maritime prize. All such property shall be delivered promptly to the proper officers of the courts.

(d) Nothing in this chapter may be construed as contravening any treaty of the United States.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 474, §7651; renumbered §8851, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837; Pub. L. 116–283, div. A, title IX, §924(d)(5), Jan. 1, 2021, 134 Stat. 3826.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7651(a)	34 U.S.C. 1131 (less 1st proviso).	R.S. 4613 (less 1st proviso); June 24, 1941, ch. 232, 55 Stat. 261.
	34 U.S.C. 1159 (as applicable to capture).	Aug. 18, 1942, ch. 553, §1 (as applicable to capture), 56 Stat. 746; July 1, 1944, ch. 370, §1, 58 Stat. 678; Nov. 14, 1945, ch. 472, §1, 59 Stat. 581.
7651(b)	34 U.S.C. 1131 (1st proviso).	R.S. 4613 (1st proviso); June 24, 1941, ch. 232, 55 Stat. 261.
	34 U.S.C. 1132.	R.S. 4614; June 24, 1941, ch. 232, 55 Stat. 261.
7651(c)	50 U.S.C. 214.	R.S. 5310.
7651(d)	34 U.S.C. 1158 (last sentence).	R.S. 4652 (last sentence).

In subsection (a) the words "including aircraft" are omitted as covered by subsection (b). The section is written to make the words "during war" applicable to the entire chapter. These words appear in 34 U.S.C. 1159, but not in 34 U.S.C. 1131. Prize is historically and uniformly treated as a war-time matter, so no substantive change results from the extension. The words "this chapter does not affect" are substituted for the words "nothing herein contained shall be construed as affecting, or in any way impairing". The words "Air Force" are added under authority of §305(a) of the National Security Act of 1947, as amended (5 U.S.C. 171l), to provide the same applicability as formerly provided by the word "Army". The word "legal" is omitted as surplusage.

In subsection (b) the definition of the term "ship" is omitted as covered by the term "vessel". All of 34 U.S.C. 1132 except that part which includes "aircraft" within the term "vessels" is omitted as unnecessary since the defined term "vessels of the Navy" does not appear in the provisions to which the definition is made applicable. The last sentence of 34 U.S.C. 1158 applies only to Title LIV (Prize) of the Revised Statutes. In subsection (d) it is broadened to cover the entire body of statutory prize law. Additions to the prize law made by the Act of August 18, 1942, ch. 553, 56 Stat. 746, as amended, operated only to extend the jurisdiction of courts of the United States to certain cases in which the prizes are not brought into the territorial waters of the United States. Relations of this country with other countries are not affected by the 1942 Act except when jurisdiction is exercised by American courts over prizes brought into cobelligerent ports. As that Act provides that the consent of the cobelligerent is necessary to the exercise of such jurisdiction, the rule against contravention of treaties is properly applied to it.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 8851, added Pub. L. 85–861, §1(192), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1537; amended Pub. L. 86–559, §1(73), June 30, 1960, 74 Stat. 280; Pub. L. 90–83, §3(6), Sept. 11, 1967, 81 Stat. 220; Pub. L. 90–486, §9(2), Aug. 13, 1968, 82 Stat. 760; Pub. L. 96–513, title V, §514(7), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2935; Pub. L. 98–525, title XIV, §1405(55), Oct. 19, 1984, 98 Stat. 2626; Pub. L. 99–145, title V, §522(b)(2), title XIII, §1303(a)(27)(B), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 632, 740; Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title XII, §1234(a)(1), Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 2059, related to transfer or discharge of reserve lieutenant colonels, colonels, and brigadier generals with 30 years of service or five years in grade, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1629(c)(3), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2963, effective Oct. 1, 1996.

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 116–283 substituted ", the Air Force, or the Space Force" for "or the Air Force".

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7651 of this title as this section.

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Amendment by Pub. L. 115–232 effective Feb. 1, 2019, with provision for the coordination of amendments and special rule for certain redesignations, see section 800 of Pub. L. 115–232, set out as a note preceding section 3001 of this title.

§8852. Jurisdiction

(a) The United States district courts have original jurisdiction, exclusive of the courts of the States, of each prize and each proceeding for the condemnation of property taken as prize, if the prize is—

(1) brought into the United States, or the Commonwealths or possessions;

(2) brought into the territorial waters of a cobelligerent;

(3) brought into a locality in the temporary or permanent possession of, or occupied by, the armed forces of the United States; or

(4) appropriated for the use of the United States.

(b) The United States district courts, exclusive of the courts of the States, also have original jurisdiction of a prize cause in which the prize property—

(1) is lost or entirely destroyed; or

(2) cannot be brought in for adjudication because of its condition.

(c) The jurisdiction conferred by this section of prizes brought into the territorial waters of a cobelligerent may not be exercised, nor may prizes be appropriated for the use of the United States within those territorial waters, unless the government having jurisdiction over those waters consents to the exercise of the jurisdiction or to the appropriation.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 474, §7652; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title X, §1057(a)(5), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3440; renumbered §8852, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7652(a)	34 U.S.C. 1159 (less applicability to capture).	Aug. 18, 1942, ch. 553, §1 (less applicability to capture), 56 Stat. 746; July 1, 1944, ch. 370, §1, 58 Stat. 678; Nov. 14, 1945, ch. 472, §1, 59 Stat. 581.
	34 U.S.C. 1164 (2d sentence).	Aug. 18, 1942, ch. 553, §6 (less 1st sentence), 56 Stat. 747.
7652(c)	34 U.S.C. 1166.	Aug. 18, 1942, ch. 553, §8, 56 Stat. 747.
	34 U.S.C. 1161.	Aug. 18, 1942, ch. 553, §3, 56 Stat. 746.

Subsection (a) reflects 28 U.S.C. 1333 by restating the basic prize jurisdiction of that section over prizes brought into the United States, and by providing that the extension of prize jurisdiction conferred by 34 U.S.C. 1159 on the United States district courts is exclusive of the courts of the States. 34 U.S.C. 1166 and the second sentence of 34 U.S.C. 1164 are executed in the single jurisdictional statement of this section and the consolidation of the Act of August 18, 1942, ch. 553, 56 Stat. 746 (34 U.S.C. 1159–1166) with the earlier prize provisions. The words "during war" in 34 U.S.C. 1159 are omitted as covered in §7651 of this title. In clause (1) the words "or the Territories, Commonwealths, or possessions" are added, since "United States" in this title is geographically limited to the 48 States and the District of Columbia, whereas the term here is intended to include all places within the jurisdiction of the district courts.

In clause (4) the words "taken or" preceding the words "appropriated for the use of the United States" are omitted as surplusage and in order to avoid confusion between the two meanings of the word "taken" in prize law. In both the Revised Statutes and the 1942 Act the phrase "taken or appropriated" means no more than "appropriated" alone, whereas "taken", in the phrase "taken as prize" means "captured".

Subsection (b) is included to make the statement of jurisdiction complete. It is derived by implication from the first sentence of R.S. 4625 (34 U.S.C. 1141) which is the source of subsection (c) of §7653 of this title.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 8852, added Pub. L. 85–861, §1(192), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1537; amended Pub. L. 86–559, §1(74), June 30, 1960, 74 Stat. 280; Pub. L. 99–145, title XIII, §1303(a)(27)(B), Nov. 8, 1985, 99 Stat. 740; Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title XII, §1234(a)(1), Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 2059, related to transfer or discharge of reserve major generals and brigadier generals with 35 years of service or five years in grade, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1629(c)(3), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2963, effective Oct. 1, 1996.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7652 of this title as this section.

2006—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 109–163 substituted "Commonwealths or possessions" for "Territories, Commonwealths, or possessions".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8853. Court in which proceedings brought

(a) If a prize is brought into a port of the United States, or the Commonwealths or possessions, proceedings for the adjudication of the prize cause shall be brought in the district in which the port is located.

(b) If a prize is brought into the territorial waters of a cobelligerent, or is brought into a locality in the temporary or permanent possession of, or occupied by, the armed forces of the United States, or is appropriated for the use of the United States, before proceedings are started, the venue of the proceedings for adjudication of the cause shall be in the judicial district selected by the Attorney General, or his designee, for the convenience of the United States.

(c) If the prize property is lost or entirely destroyed or if, because of its condition, no part of it has been or can be sent in for adjudication, proceedings for adjudication of the cause may be brought in any district designated by the Secretary of the Navy. In such cases the proceeds of anything sold shall be deposited with the Treasurer of the United States or public depositary in or nearest the district designated by the Secretary, subject to the orders of the court for that district.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 474, §7653; Pub. L. 109–163, div. A, title X, §1057(a)(5), Jan. 6, 2006, 119 Stat. 3440; renumbered §8853, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7653(b)	34 U.S.C. 1160.	Aug. 18, 1942, ch. 553, §2, 56 Stat. 746.
7653(c)	34 U.S.C. 1141 (less last sentence).	R.S. 4625 (less last sentence).

Subsection (a) is inserted in order to present a complete statement of the subject matter of the section. Its substance is not specifically set out in the Revised Statutes but is strongly implied in 34 U.S.C. 1135 which requires the United States attorney for the district in which the port is located to file a libel.

In subsection (b) the requisites for jurisdiction conferred under the 1942 Act are substituted for the words "brought under the jurisdiction conferred by this Act". The substituted words are the same as those used in clauses (2), (3), and (4) of the preceding section except that the words "before proceedings are started" are added following the words "appropriated for the use of the United States" for clarity. An appropriation can take place before or after proceedings are commenced, but in the latter case there is no occasion for the Attorney General to determine venue.

In subsection (c) the words "or if because the whole has been appropriated to the use of the United States" and the words "or the value of anything taken or appropriated for the use of the United States" are omitted. The provision in the 1942 Act which empowers the Attorney General to decide the venue of proceedings when the prize property has been appropriated is incompatible with the provision in R.S. 4625 which authorizes the Secretary of the Navy to select the judicial district in such cases. Hence the 1942 Act superseded R.S. 4625 with respect to cases of this type. Deposit of the value of prize property appropriated by the United States is adequately covered in §7663 of this title and is not mentioned here. The second sentence of 34 U.S.C. 1141 (R.S. 4625), relating to proceedings by captors, is omitted because it was rendered inoperative by the Act of March 3, 1899, ch. 413, §13, 30 Stat. 1007, which repealed all laws authorizing the distribution of prize money to captors.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 8853, added Pub. L. 85–861, §1(192), Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1538; amended Pub. L. 86–559, §1(75), June 30, 1960, 74 Stat. 280; Pub. L. 98–94, title X, §1016(c), Sept. 24, 1983, 97 Stat. 668, related to computation of years of service, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1629(c)(3), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2963, effective Oct. 1, 1996. See section 14706 of this title.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7653 of this title as this section.

2006—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 109–163 substituted "Commonwealths or possessions" for "Territories, Commonwealths, or possessions".

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8854. Effect of failure to start proceedings

If a vessel is captured as prize and no proceedings for adjudication are started within a reasonable time, any party claiming the captured property may, in any district court as a court of prize—

(1) move for a monition to show cause why such proceedings shall not be started; or

(2) bring an original suit for restitution.

The monition issued in either case shall be served on the United States Attorney for the district, on the Secretary of the Navy, and on such other persons as are designated by order of the court.

(Aug. 10, 1956. ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 475, §7654; renumbered §8854, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7654	34 U.S.C. 1141 (last sentence).	R.S. 4625 (last sentence).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7654 of this title as this section.

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8855. Appointment of prize commissioners and special prize commissioners

(a) In each judicial district there may be not more than three prize commissioners, one of whom is the naval prize commissioner. They shall be appointed by the district court for service in connection with any prize cause in which proceedings are brought under section 8853(a) or (c) of this title. The naval prize commissioner must be an officer of the Navy whose appointment is approved by the Secretary of the Navy. The naval prize commissioner shall protect the interests of the Department of the Navy in the prize property. At least one of the other commissioners must be a member of the bar of the court, of not less than three years' standing, who is experienced in taking depositions.

(b) A district court may appoint special prize commissioners to perform abroad, in connection with any prize cause in which proceedings are brought under section 8853(b) of this title, the duties prescribed for prize commissioners, and, in connection with those causes, to exercise anywhere such additional powers and perform such additional duties as the court considers proper, including the duties prescribed by this chapter for United States marshals. The court may determine the number and qualifications of the special prize commissioners it appoints, except that for each cause there shall be at least one naval special prize commissioner. The naval special prize commissioner must be an officer of the Navy whose appointment is approved by the Secretary. The naval special prize commissioner shall protect the interests of the Department of the Navy in the prize property.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 475, §7655; renumbered §8855 and amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §§807(d)(9), 809(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837, 1840.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7655(a)	34 U.S.C. 1137 (less applicability to compensation of the naval prize commissioner).	R.S. 4621 (less applicability to compensation of the naval prize commissioner); Nov. 14, 1945, ch. 472, §2, 59 Stat. 581.
7655(b)	34 U.S.C. 1163 (less applicability to compensation of the naval special prize commissioner).	Aug. 18, 1942, ch. 553, §5 (less applicability to compensation of the naval special prize commissioner), 56 Stat. 746.

The first sentence of subsection (a) is reworded to make it clear that the limitation as to number applies to the number of prize commissioners who may serve in each judicial district at any one time and that the court is not precluded from making additional appointments to fill vacancies. The words "for service in connection with any prize cause in which proceedings are brought under section 7653(a) or (c) of this title" are added to distinguish the prize commissioners from the special prize commissioners mentioned in subsection (b). The words "officer of the Navy" in subsections (a) and (b) are substituted for the words "naval officer, active or retired" because an officer of the Navy does not lose his status as such upon retirement, and to retain these words would open to question the many other provisions in this subtitle treating retired officers as officers.

In subsection (b) the words "in connection with any prize cause in which proceedings are brought under section 7653(b) of this title" are substituted for the words "in cases arising under this Act" for accuracy of reference. The words "including the duties prescribed by this chapter for United States marshals" are added for clarity. Section 7662 of this title prescribes the duties of marshals. Most of these duties could not be performed by the marshals if the prize was not brought into a United States port. In such cases occurring during World War II the courts, under the authority of the 1942 Act, required the special prize commissioners to perform the duties ordinarily performed by the marshals. The words "without regard for the requirements of section 7367 of this title" are omitted as unnecessary, since that section is codified in subsection (a), and language distinguishing the prize commissioners from the special prize commissions is included in each subsection.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 8855, added Pub. L. 86–559, §1(76), June 30, 1960, 74 Stat. 280; amended Pub. L. 96–107, title IV, §403(b), Nov. 9, 1979, 93 Stat. 808; Pub. L. 96–513, title II, §215(b), Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2885; Pub. L. 100–180, div. A, title VII, §717(c), (d)(2)(A), Dec. 4, 1987, 101 Stat. 1114; Sept. 29, 1988, Pub. L. 100–456, div. A, title XII, §1233(l)(2), Sept. 29, 1988, 102 Stat. 2058; Pub. L. 101–189, div. A, title VII, §710(c), Nov. 29, 1989, 103 Stat. 1477, related to retention in active status of certain reserve officers, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 103–337, div. A, title XVI, §1629(c)(3), Oct. 5, 1994, 108 Stat. 2963, effective Oct. 1, 1996. See section 14703(a)(3), (b) of this title.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232, §807(d)(9), renumbered section 7655 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–232, §809(a), substituted "section 8853(a) or (c)" for "section 7653(a) or (c)".

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 115–232, §809(a), substituted "section 8853(b)" for "section 7653(b)".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8856. Duties of United States attorney

(a) The interests of the United States in a prize cause shall be represented by the United States attorney for the judicial district in which the prize cause is adjudicated. The United States attorney shall protect the interests of the United States and shall examine all fees, costs, and expenses sought to be charged against the prize fund.

(b) In a judicial district where one or more prize causes are pending the United States attorney shall send to the Secretary of the Navy, at least once every three months, a statement of all such causes in the form and covering the particulars required by the Secretary.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 475, §7656; renumbered §8856, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7656	34 U.S.C. 1136.	R.S. 4619.

The Act of March 3, 1899, ch. 413, §13, 30 Stat. 1007, which repealed all laws authorizing the distribution of prize money to captors, rendered inoperative parts of R.S. 4619 relative to protection of captors' interest. These parts are omitted from 34 U.S.C. 1136 and from the revised section.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7656 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8857. Duties of commanding officer of capturing vessel

(a) The commanding officer of a vessel making a capture shall—

(1) secure the documents of the captured vessel, including the log, and the documents of cargo, together with all other documents and papers, including letters, found on board;

(2) inventory and seal all the documents and papers;

(3) send the inventory and documents and papers to the court in which proceedings are to be had, with a written statement—

(A) that the documents and papers sent are all the papers found, or explaining the reasons why any are missing; and

(B) that the documents and papers sent are in the same condition as found, or explaining the reasons why any are in different condition;

(4) send as witnesses to the prize court the master, one or more of the other officers, the supercargo, purser, or agent of the prize, and any other person found on board whom he believes to be interested in or to know the title, national character, or destination of the prize, and if any of the usual witnesses cannot be sent, send the reasons therefor to the court; and

(5) place a competent prize master and a prize crew on board the prize and send the prize, the witnesses, and all documents and papers, under charge of the prize master, into port for adjudication.

(b) In the absence of instructions from higher authority as to the port to which the prize shall be sent for adjudication, the commanding officer of the capturing vessel shall select the port that he considers most convenient in view of the interests of probable claimants.

(c) If the captured vessel, or any part of the captured property, is not in condition to be sent in for adjudication, the commanding officer of the capturing vessel shall have a survey and an appraisal made by competent and impartial persons. The reports of the survey and the appraisal shall be sent to the court in which proceedings are to be had. Property so surveyed and appraised, unless appropriated for the use of the United States, shall be sold under authority of the commanding officer present. Proceeds of the sale shall be deposited with the Treasurer of the United States or in the public depositary most accessible to the court in which proceedings are to be had and subject to its order in the cause.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 476, §7657; renumbered §8857, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7657	34 U.S.C. 1133.	R.S. 4615.

As does 34 U.S.C. 1133, the revised section reflects the Act of March 3, 1899, ch. 413, §13, 30 Stat. 1007, and the Act of May 29, 1920, ch. 214, §1, 41 Stat. 654, which, respectively, abolished the interest of captors in prize property and substituted "Treasurer of the United States or public depositary" for "assistant treasurer of the United States".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7657 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8858. Duties of prize master

The prize master shall take the captured vessel to the selected port. On arrival he shall—

(1) deliver immediately to a prize commissioner the documents and papers and the inventory thereof;

(2) make affidavit that the documents and papers and the inventory thereof and the prize property are the same and are in the same condition as delivered to him, or explaining any loss or absence or change in their condition;

(3) report all information respecting the prize and her capture to the United States attorney;

(4) deliver the persons sent as witnesses to the custody of the United States marshal; and

(5) retain the prize in his custody until it is taken therefrom by process from the prize court.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 476, §7658; renumbered §8858, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7658	34 U.S.C. 1134.	R.S. 4617.

The word "diligently" is omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7658 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8859. Libel and proceedings by United States attorney

(a) Upon receiving the report of the prize master directed by section 8858 of this title, the United States attorney for the district shall promptly—

(1) file a libel against the prize property;

(2) obtain a warrant from the court directing the marshal to take custody of the prize property; and

(3) proceed to obtain a condemnation of the property.

(b) In connection with the condemnation proceedings the United States attorney shall insure that the prize commissioners—

(1) take proper preparatory evidence; and

(2) take depositions de bene esse of the prize crew and of other transient persons who know any facts bearing on condemnation.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 477, §7659; renumbered §8859 and amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §§807(d)(9), 809(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837, 1840.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7659	34 U.S.C. 1135.	R.S. 4618.

As does 34 U.S.C. 1135, the revised section reflects the Act of March 3, 1899, ch. 413, §13, 30 Stat. 1007, which repealed all laws authorizing distribution of prize proceeds to captors.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232, §807(d)(9), renumbered section 7659 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–232, §809(a), substituted "section 8858" for "section 7658" in introductory provisions.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8860. Duties of prize commissioners

One or more of the prize commissioners shall—

(1) receive from the prize master the documents and papers of the captured vessel and the inventory thereof;

(2) take the affidavit of the prize master required by section 8858 of this title;

(3) take promptly, in the manner prescribed by section 8861 of this title, the testimony of the witnesses sent in;

(4) take, at the request of the United States attorney, on interrogatories prescribed by the court, the depositions de bene esse of the prize crew and others;

(5) examine and inventory the prize property;

(6) apply to the court for an order to the marshal to unload the cargo, if this is necessary to that examination and inventory;

(7) report to the court, and notify the United States attorney, whether any of the prize property requires immediate sale in the interest of all parties;

(8) report to the court, from time to time, any matter relating to the condition, custody, or disposal of the prize property requiring action by the court;

(9) return to the court sealed and secured from inspection—

(A) the documents and papers received, duly scheduled and numbered;

(B) the preparatory evidence;

(D) their inventory of the prize property; and

(10) report to the Secretary of the Navy, if, in their judgment, any of the prize property is useful to the United States in the prosecution of war.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 477, §7660; renumbered §8860 and amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §§807(d)(9), 809(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837, 1840.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7660	34 U.S.C. 1138 (less applicability to procedure for interrogating witnesses).	R.S. 4622 (less applicability to procedure for interrogating witnesses).

The words "but the custody of the property shall be in the marshal only" are omitted as surplusage, since this fact is made clear in §7662 of this title.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232, §807(d)(9), renumbered section 7660 of this title as this section.

Par. (2). Pub. L. 115–232, §809(a), substituted "section 8858" for "section 7658".

Par. (3). Pub. L. 115–232, §809(a), substituted "section 8861" for "section 7661".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8861. Interrogation of witnesses by prize commissioners

Witnesses before the prize commissioners shall be questioned separately, on interrogatories prescribed by the court, in the manner usual in prize courts. Without special authority from the court, the witnesses may not see the interrogatories, documents, or papers, or consult with counsel or with other persons interested in the cause. Witnesses who have the rights of neutrals shall be discharged as soon as practicable.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 477, §7661; renumbered §8861, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7661	34 U.S.C. 1138 (as applicable to procedure for interrogating witnesses).	R.S. 4622 (as applicable to procedure for interrogating witnesses).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7661 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8862. Duties of marshal

The marshal shall—

(1) keep in his custody all persons found on board a prize and sent in as witnesses, until they are released by the prize commissioners or the court;

(2) keep safely in his custody all prize property under warrant from the court;

(3) report to the court any cargo or other property that he thinks should be unloaded and stored or sold;

(4) insure the prize property, if in his judgment it is in the interest of all concerned;

(5) have charge of the sale of the property, if a sale is ordered, and be responsible for the conduct of the sale in the manner required by the court, for the collection of the gross proceeds, and for their immediate deposit with the Treasurer of the United States or public depositary nearest the place of sale, subject to the order of the court in the cause; and

(6) submit to the Secretary of the Navy, at such times as the Secretary designates, a full statement of the condition of the prize and of the disposal made thereof.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 478, §7662; renumbered §8862, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7662	34 U.S.C. 1139.	R.S. 4623.

In clause (2) the words "in his custody" are inserted to make clear the fact that the marshal has custody of the prize property.

In clause (5) the words "and be responsible for" are inserted for clarity, since 34 U.S.C. 1144 provides that the sale and deposit of the proceeds shall be made by the auctioneer and his agent rather than by the marshal, although the marshal supervises them. The words "Treasurer of the United States or public depositary" are substituted for "assistant treasurer" to reflect the Act of May 29, 1920, ch. 214, 41 Stat. 654.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7662 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8863. Prize property appropriated for the use of the United States

(a) Any officer or agency designated by the President may appropriate for the use of the United States any captured vessel, arms, munitions, or other material taken as prize. The department or agency for whose use the prize property is appropriated shall deposit the value of the property with the Treasurer of the United States or with the public depositary nearest to the court in which the proceedings are to be had, subject to the orders of the court.

(b) Whenever any captured vessel, arms, munitions, or other material taken as prize is appropriated for the use of the United States before that property comes into the custody of the prize court, it shall be surveyed, appraised, and inventoried by persons as competent and impartial as can be obtained, and the survey, appraisal, and inventory sent to the court in which the proceedings are to be had. If the property is appropriated after it comes into the custody of the court, sufficient notice shall be given to enable the court to have the property appraised for the protection of the rights of the claimants.

(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), in any case where prize property is appropriated for the use of the United States, a prize court may adjudicate the cause on the basis of an inventory and survey and an appropriate undertaking by the United States to respond for the value of the property, without either an appraisal or a deposit of the value of the prize with the Treasurer of the United States or a public depositary.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 478, §7663; renumbered §8863, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7663	34 U.S.C. 1162.	Aug. 18, 1942, ch. 553, §4, 56 Stat. 746; July 1, 1944, ch. 370, §2, 58 Stat. 678.
	34 U.S.C. 1140.	R.S. 4624; Nov. 14, 1945, ch. 472, §3, 59 Stat. 581.

In subsection (a) the words "may appropriate" are substituted for the words "the power to take or appropriate * * * may be exercised", in 34 U.S.C. 1162, for clarity and uniformity of statement. Under the Revised Statutes it was implied and understood that the Navy could appropriate prizes on behalf of the United States for use by the Navy. Use by other government agencies was not contemplated. The 1942 Act enabled the Navy to turn prize vessels over to the War Shipping Administration without bringing them back to United States ports. Reference to that Administration in subsection (a) is omitted since the Administration has been abolished and these functions have not been specifically vested in its successors. It is surplusage as well, because the authority to appropriate is given to any officer or agency designated by the President.

The proviso added to R.S. 4624 (34 U.S.C. 1140) by the 1945 amendment is identical with the proviso added to the 1942 Act (34 U.S.C. 1162) by the 1944 amendment. The 1945 Act completed the process of making the procedure under the Revised Statutes the same as that in effect for causes over which the courts were given jurisdiction by the World War II legislation, and its single statement in subsection (c) is therefore justified.

34 U.S.C. 1140 and the revised section reflect the Act of March 3, 1899, ch. 413, §13, 30 Stat. 1007, which repealed laws authorizing distribution of prize proceeds to captors, and the Act of May 29, 1920, ch. 214, 41 Stat. 654, which requires substitution of "Treasurer of the United States or public depositary" for "assistant treasurer".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7663 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8864. Delivery of property on stipulation

(a) Prize property may be delivered to a claimant on stipulation, deposit, or other security, if—

(1) the claimant satisfies the court that the property has a peculiar and intrinsic value to him, independent of its market value;

(2) the court is satisfied that the rights and interests of the United States or of other claimants will not be prejudiced;

(3) an opportunity is given to the United States attorney and the naval prize commissioner or the naval special prize commissioner to be heard as to the appointment of appraisers; and

(4) a satisfactory appraisal is made.

(b) Money collected on a stipulation, or deposited instead of it, that does not represent costs shall be deposited with the Treasurer of the United States or a public depositary in the same manner as proceeds of a sale.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 479, §7664; renumbered §8864, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7664	34 U.S.C. 1142.	R.S. 4626.

34 U.S.C. 1142 and this section reflect the Act of March 3, 1899, ch. 413, §13, 30 Stat. 1007, which repealed laws authorizing distribution of prize proceeds to captors, and the Act of May 29, 1920, ch. 214, §1, 41 Stat. 654, which requires substitution of "Treasurer of the United States or public depositary" for "assistant treasurer".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7664 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8865. Sale of prize

(a) The court shall order a sale of prize property if—

(1) the property has been condemned;

(2) the court finds, at any stage of the proceedings, that the property is perishable, liable to deteriorate, or liable to depreciate in value; or

(3) the cost of keeping the property is disproportionate to its value.

(b) The court may order a sale of the prize property if, after the return-day on the libel, all the parties in interest who have appeared in the cause agree to it.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 479, §7665; renumbered §8865, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7665	34 U.S.C. 1143.	R.S. 4627.

In subsection (a) the word "perishing" is omitted as surplusage. The words "in value" are added after "depreciate" for clarity.

In subsection (c) the words "An appeal does not prevent" are substituted for the words "no appeal shall operate to prevent".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7665 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8866. Mode of making sale

(a) If a sale of prize property is ordered by the court, the marshal shall—

(1) prepare and circulate full catalogues and schedules of the property to be sold and return a copy of each to the court;

(2) advertise the sale fully and conspicuously by posters and in newspapers ordered by the court;

(3) give notice to the naval prize commissioner at least five days before the sale; and

(4) keep the goods open for inspection for at least three days before the sale.

(b) An auctioneer of known skill in the business to which the sale pertains shall be employed by the Secretary of the Navy to make the sale. The auctioneer, or his agent, shall collect and deposit the gross proceeds of the sale. The auctioneer and his agent are responsible to the marshal for the conduct of the sale and the collection and deposit of the gross proceeds.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 479, §7666; renumbered §8866, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7666	34 U.S.C. 1144.	R.S. 4628.

The statement in subsection (b) of the responsibility of the auctioneer and agent to the marshal in the collection and deposit of proceeds is inserted to clarify the marshal's functions. It is derived from 34 U.S.C. 1139, and appears in §7662 of this title.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7666 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8867. Transfer of prize property to another district for sale

(a) In the case of any prize property ordered to be sold, if the court believes that it will be in the interest of all parties to have the property sold in a judicial district other than the one in which the proceedings are pending, the court may direct the marshal to transfer the property to the district selected by the court for the sale, and to insure it. In such a case the court shall give the marshal proper orders as to the time and manner of conducting the sale.

(b) When so ordered the marshal shall transfer the property and keep it safely. He is responsible for its sale in the same manner as if the property were in his own district and for the deposit of the gross proceeds with the Treasurer of the United States or public depositary nearest to the place of sale, subject to the order of the court for the district where the adjudication is pending.

(c) The necessary expenses of insuring, transferring, receiving, keeping, and selling the property are a charge upon it and upon the proceeds. Whenever any such expense is paid in advance by the marshal, any amount not repaid to him from the proceeds shall be allowed to him as in the case of expenses incurred in suits in which the United States is a party.

(d) If the Secretary of the Navy believes that it will be in the interest of all parties to have the property sold in a judicial district other than the one in which the proceedings are pending, he may, either by a general regulation or by a special direction in the cause, require the marshal to transfer the property from the district in which the judicial proceedings are pending to any other district for sale. In such a case proceedings shall be had as if the transfer had been made by order of the court.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 479, §7667; renumbered §8867, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7667	34 U.S.C. 1145.	R.S. 4629.

34 U.S.C. 1145 and this section reflect the Act of May 29, 1920, ch. 214, §1, 41 Stat. 654, which requires substitution of "Treasurer of the United States or public depositary" for "assistant treasurer".

In subsection (b) the words "He is responsible for its sale" are substituted for the words "It shall be the duty of the marshal to * * * sell the same", because, as shown in §7666 of this title, the marshal does not sell the property himself but supervises the auctioneer who conducts the sale.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7667 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8868. Disposition of prize money

The net proceeds of all property condemned as prize shall be decreed to the United States and shall be ordered by the court to be paid into the Treasury.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 480, §7668; renumbered §8868, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7668	34 U.S.C. 1151.	R.S. 4630; R.S. 4641.

R.S. 4630 provided that in some circumstances the captors were to receive the net proceeds of prize property and in other circumstances they were to receive half and the United States was to receive the other half. The Act of March 3, 1899, ch. 413, §13, 30 Stat. 1007, repealed "all provisions of law authorizing the distribution among captors of the whole or any portion of the proceeds of vessels, or any property hereafter captured, condemned as prize". Thus the only part of R.S. 4630 that remains in effect, as is indicated in 34 U.S.C. 1151, is that part which provides that proceeds shall be decreed to the United States. The section is so worded. R.S. 4641 stated how proceeds decreed to captors should be divided among them. These provisions were eliminated by the Act of March 3, 1899, supra. All that remains of R.S. 4641, as is indicated in 34 U.S.C. 1151, is the provision that proceeds decreed to the United States shall be paid into the Treasury, and the section is worded accordingly.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7668 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8869. Security for costs

The court may require any party to give security for costs at any stage of the cause and upon filing an appeal.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 480, §7669; renumbered §8869, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7669	34 U.S.C. 1148.	R.S. 4638.

The word "filing" is substituted for the word "claiming".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7669 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8870. Costs and expenses a charge on prize property

(a) Costs and expenses allowed by the court incident to the bringing in, custody, preservation, insurance, and sale or other disposal of prize property are a charge upon the property and shall be paid from the proceeds thereof, unless the court decrees restitution free from such a charge.

(b) Charges for work and labor, materials furnished, or money paid must be supported by affidavit or vouchers.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 480, §7670; renumbered §8870, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7670(a)	34 U.S.C. 1149.	R.S. 4639.
7670(b)	34 U.S.C. 1150 (2d sentence).	R.S. 4640 (2d sentence).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7670 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8871. Payment of costs and expenses from prize fund

(a) Payment may not be made from a prize fund except upon the order of the court. The court may, at any time, order the payment, from the deposit made with the Treasurer or public depositary in the cause, of costs or charges accrued and allowed.

(b) When the cause is finally disposed of, the court shall order the Treasurer or public depositary to pay the costs and charges allowed and unpaid. If the final decree is for restitution, or if there is no money subject to the order of the court in the cause, costs or charges allowed by the court and not paid by the claimants shall be paid out of the fund for paying the expenses of suits in which the United States is a party or is interested.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 480, §7671; renumbered §8871, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7671	34 U.S.C. 1150 (less 2d sentence).	R.S. 4640 (less 2d sentence).

In subsection (b) the words "or orders" after "order" are omitted as surplusage. The words "a charge upon and" are omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7671 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8872. Recaptures: award of salvage, costs, and expenses

(a) If a vessel or other property that has been captured by a force hostile to the United States is recaptured, and the court believes that the property had not been condemned as prize by competent authority before its recapture, the court shall award an appropriate sum as salvage.

(b) If the recaptured property belonged to the United States, it shall be restored to the United States, and costs and expenses ordered to be paid by the court shall be paid from the Treasury.

(c) If the recaptured property belonged to any person residing within or under the protection of the United States, the court shall restore the property to its owner upon his claim and on payment of such sum as the court may award as salvage, costs, and expenses.

(d) If the recaptured property belonged to any person permanently residing within the territory and under the protection of any foreign government in amity with the United States, and, by the law or usage of that government, the property of a citizen of the United States would be restored under like circumstances of recapture, the court shall, upon the owner's claim, restore the property to him under such terms as the law or usage of that government would require of a citizen of the United States under like circumstances. If no such law or usage is known, the property shall be restored upon the payment of such salvage, costs, and expenses as the court orders.

(e) Amounts awarded as salvage under this section shall be paid to the United States.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 481, §7672; renumbered §8872, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7672	34 U.S.C. 1158 (less last sentence).	R.S. 4652 (less last sentence).

In subsection (c) the words "restore the property" are substituted for the words "adjudge to be restored." A similar substitution is made in subsection (d).

In subsection (d) the words "foreign government" are substituted for the words "foreign prince, government, or state".

Subsection (e) is derived from the next to the last sentence of R.S. 4652 which, when enacted, read:

"The whole amount awarded as salvage shall be decreed to the captors and no part to the United States, and shall be distributed as in the case of proceeds of property condemned as prize."

The Act of March 3, 1899, ch. 413, §13, 30 Stat. 1007, repealed all laws authorizing the distribution of prize money to captors. Accordingly, 34 U.S.C. 1158 states:

"The whole amount awarded as salvage shall be disposed of as in the case of proceeds of property condemned as prize."

As shown in §7668 of this title, the net proceeds of property condemned as prize must be decreed to the United States. Subsection (e) is phrased so as to state directly, instead of by reference, the fact that the amount awarded as salvage is paid to the government. While this is apparently inconsistent with R.S. 4652 as originally enacted, it is consistent with the intent expressed by Congress in the provision of the Act of March 3, 1899 (supra), which repealed provisions relating to the distribution of prize money and bounty to crews. This act, it is true, did not mention salvage; and salvage money is still occasionally awarded to crews of naval vessels. However, such occasions are rare, and it is the general policy of the Department of the Navy not to claim salvage on behalf of its personnel. No case appears in which salvage derived from prize has been claimed for such personnel. Prize salvage is more closely related to prize money than it is to other salvage. The determination by Congress that captors should not share in the proceeds of prizes is, therefore, as in 34 U.S.C. 1158, carried through the revised section to salvage derived from prize. The word "amounts" is substituted for the words "the whole amount".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7672 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8873. Allowance of expenses to marshals

The marshal shall be allowed his actual and necessary expenses for the custody, care, preservation, insurance, and sale or other disposal of the prize property, and for executing any order of the court in the prize cause. Charges of the marshal for expenses or disbursements shall be allowed only upon his oath that they have been necessarily incurred for the purpose stated.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 481, §7673; renumbered §8873, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7673	34 U.S.C. 1153.	R.S. 4645.

34 U.S.C. 1153 and the revised section reflect the Act of May 28, 1896, ch. 252, §6, 29 Stat. 179, which provided that marshals should receive annual salaries in lieu of the fees and emoluments previously allowed them.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7673 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8874. Payment of witness fees

If the court allows fees to any witness in a prize cause, or fees for taking evidence out of the district in which the court sits, and there is no money subject to its order in the cause, the marshal shall pay the fees. He shall be repaid from any money deposited to the order of the court in the cause. Any amount not so repaid to the marshal shall be allowed him as witness fees paid by him in cases in which the United States is a party.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 481, §7674; renumbered §8874, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7674	34 U.S.C. 1157.	R.S. 4651.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7674 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8875. Commissions of auctioneers

(a) The Secretary of the Navy may establish a scale of commissions to be paid to auctioneers employed to make sales of prize property. These commissions are in full satisfaction of expenses as well as services. The scale may in no case allow a commission in excess of—

(1) ½ of 1 percent on any amount exceeding $10,000 on the sale of a vessel; and

(2) 1 percent on any amount exceeding $10,000 on the sale of other prize property.

(b) If no such scale is established, auctioneers in prize causes shall be paid such compensation as the court considers just under the circumstances of each case.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 481, §7675; renumbered §8875, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7675	34 U.S.C. 1156.	R.S. 4650.

The word "amount" is substituted for the word "sum".

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7675 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8876. Compensation of prize commissioners and special prize commissioners

(a) Naval prize commissioners and naval special prize commissioners may not receive compensation for their services in prize causes other than that to which they are entitled as officers of the Navy.

(b) Prize commissioners and special prize commissioners, except naval prize commissioners and naval special prize commissioners, are entitled to just and suitable compensation for their services in prize causes. The amount of compensation in each cause shall be determined by the court and allowed as costs.

(c) Annually, on the anniversary of his appointment, each prize commissioner and special prize commissioner, except a naval prize commissioner or a naval special prize commissioner, shall submit to the Attorney General an account of all amounts received for his services in prize causes within the previous year. Of the amounts reported, each such commissioner may retain not more than $3,000, which is in full satisfaction for all his services in prize causes for that year. He shall pay any excess over that amount into the Treasury.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 482, §7676; renumbered §8876, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7676(a)	34 U.S.C. 1137 (as applicable to compensation of naval prize commissioner).	R.S. 4621 (as applicable to compensation of naval prize commissioner); Nov. 14, 1945, ch. 472, §2, 59 Stat. 581.
	34 U.S.C. 1163 (as applicable to compensation of naval special prize commissioner).	Aug. 18, 1942, ch. 553, §5 (as applicable to compensation of naval special prize commissioner), 56 Stat. 746.
7676(b)	34 U.S.C. 1154.	R.S. 4646.
7676(c)	34 U.S.C. 1155.	R.S. 4647.

In subsection (c) the words "on the anniversary of his appointment" are inserted for clarity, as "year" in the context of this section means a year of service as prize commissioner. The words "and shall be credited to the fund for paying naval pensions" are omitted because the Act of June 26, 1934, ch. 756, §9, 48 Stat. 1229, abolished the naval pension fund and provided that moneys previously required to be paid into it should be deposited in the Treasury as miscellaneous receipts. The words "as miscellaneous receipts" are omitted as surplusage. The word "amounts" is substituted for the word "sums".

34 U.S.C. 1154 and 1155 and this section reflect the Act of May 28, 1896, ch. 252, §6, 29 Stat. 179, 180, which provided that United States attorneys should receive fixed annual salaries in lieu of the fees and emoluments previously authorized.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7676 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8877. Accounts of clerks of district courts

(a) The clerk of each district court, for the purpose of the final decree in each prize cause, shall keep account of—

(1) the amount deposited with the Treasurer or public depositary, subject to the order of the court in the cause; and

(2) the amounts ordered to be paid therefrom as costs and charges.

(b) The clerk shall draw the orders of the court for the payment of costs and allowances and for the disposition of the residue of the prize fund in each cause.

(1) copies of final decrees in prize causes; and

(2) a semi-annual statement of the amounts allowed by the court, and ordered to be paid, within the preceding six months to the prize commissioners and special prize commissioners for their services.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 482, §7677; renumbered §8877, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7677	34 U.S.C. 1152.	R.S. 4644.

34 U.S.C. 1152 and this section reflect modifications of R.S. 4644 effected by—

(1) Act of May 28, 1896, ch. 252, §6, 29 Stat. 179, which provided for fixed annual salaries for United States attorneys and marshals;

(2) Act of March 3, 1899, ch. 413, §13, 30 Stat. 1007, which repealed all laws authorizing distribution of prize proceeds to captors;

(3) Act of February 26, 1919, ch. 49, §1, 40 Stat. 1182, which provided that clerks of United States district courts should receive fixed annual salaries; and

(4) Act of May 29, 1920, ch. 214, 41 Stat. 654, which abolished the offices of assistant treasurers and distributed their functions.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7677 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8878. Interfering with delivery, custody, or sale of prize property

Whoever willfully does, or aids or advises in the doing of, any act relating to the bringing in, custody, preservation, sale, or other disposition of any property captured as prize, or relating to any documents or papers connected with the property or to any deposition or other document or paper connected with the proceedings, with intent to defraud, delay, or injure the United States or any claimant of that property, shall be fined not more than $10,000 or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 482, §7678; renumbered §8878, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7678	34 U.S.C. 1167.	Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §38, 35 Stat. 1096.

The words "captor or" between "any" and "claimant" are omitted because the Act of March 3, 1899, ch. 413, §13, 30 Stat. 1007, repealed all laws authorizing the distribution of prize proceeds to captors. These words were apparently carried over inadvertently to §38 of the 1909 Act from the source of that section, namely R.S. 5441.

The section is worded in the style of Title 18, U.S. Code.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7678 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8879. Powers of district court over prize property notwithstanding appeal

Notwithstanding an appeal, the district court may make and execute all necessary orders for the custody and disposal of prize property.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 483, §7679; renumbered §8879, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7679	34 U.S.C. 1147.	R.S. 565; R.S. 4637.

34 U.S.C. 1147 and this section reflect—

(1) Act of March 3, 1899, ch. 413, §13, 30 Stat. 1007, which repealed all laws authorizing distribution of prize proceeds to captors;

(2) Acts of March 3, 1911, ch. 231, §128, 36 Stat. 1133, and February 13, 1925, ch. 229, §1, 43 Stat. 938, which defined the appellate jurisdiction of the United States circuit courts, and provided that the Supreme Court should not directly review district court decisions except in specified cases, not including prize cases; and

(3) Act of June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 869, which repealed the Acts of February 13, 1925, and March 3, 1911, supra, but enacted similar provisions and changed the name of United States Circuit Courts of Appeals to United States Courts of Appeals for the several circuits.

Reference to the court is omitted from 34 U.S.C. 1147 and from the revised section in view of the 1948 Act.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7679 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8880. Appeals and amendments in prize causes

(a) A United States Court of Appeals may allow an appeal in a prize cause if it appears that a notice of appeal was filed with the clerk of the district court within thirty days after the final decree in that cause.

(b) A United States Court of Appeals, if in its opinion justice requires it, may allow amendments in form or substance of any appeal in a prize cause.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 483, §7680; renumbered §8880, Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §807(d)(9), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7680	34 U.S.C. 1146.	R.S. 1006; R.S. 4636.

34 U.S.C. 1146 and this section reflect—

(1) Acts of March 3, 1911, ch. 231, §128, 36 Stat. 1133, and February 13, 1925, ch. 229, §1, 43 Stat. 938, which defined the appellate jurisdiction of the United States Circuit Courts of Appeals; and

(2) Act of June 25, 1948, ch. 646, 62 Stat. 869, which repealed the 1911 and 1925 Acts, but enacted similar provisions and changed the name of the circuit courts to United States Courts of Appeals for the several circuits.

The words "or of intention to appeal" are omitted as surplusage. Formerly "notices of appeal" were filed in some courts and "notices of intention to appeal" were filed in others. The difference was in terminology, not in substance. These notices are now known as "notices of appeal". The words "next" and "the rendition of" are omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232 renumbered section 7680 of this title as this section.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

§8881. Reciprocal privileges to cobelligerent

(a) A cobelligerent of the United States that consents to the exercise of jurisdiction conferred by section 8852(a) of this title with respect to any prize of the United States brought into the territorial waters of the cobelligerent or appropriated for the use of the United States within those territorial waters shall be given, upon proclamation by the President of the United States, like privileges with respect to any prize captured under the authority of that cobelligerent and brought into the territorial waters of the United States or appropriated for the use of the cobelligerent within the territorial waters of the United States.

(b) Reciprocal recognition shall be given to the jurisdiction acquired by courts of a cobelligerent under this section and full faith and credit shall be given to all proceedings had or judgments rendered in the exercise of that jurisdiction.

(Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 483, §7681; renumbered §8881 and amended Pub. L. 115–232, div. A, title VIII, §§807(d)(9), 809(a), Aug. 13, 2018, 132 Stat. 1837, 1840.)

Historical and Revision Notes
Revised section	Source (U.S. Code)	Source (Statutes at Large)
7681	34 U.S.C. 1165.	Aug. 18, 1942, ch. 553, §7, 56 Stat. 747.

The words "taking or" before "appropriation" and the words "taken or" before "appropriated" are omitted as surplusage.

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

Prior sections 8881 and 8882 were repealed by Pub. L. 85–155, title IV, §401(1), Aug. 21, 1957, 71 Stat. 390.

Section 8881, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 546, authorized Secretary of Air Force to retire Air Force nurses and woman medical specialists whose regular grade is below major.

Section 8882, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 546, authorized Secretary of Air Force to retire Air Force nurses or woman medical specialists whose regular grade is above captain.

Prior sections 8883 to 8886 were repealed by Pub. L. 96–513, title II, §216, Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2886, effective Sept. 15, 1981.

Section 8883, acts Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 546; Aug. 6, 1958, Pub. L. 85–600, §1(17), 72 Stat. 523; Nov. 2, 1966, Pub. L. 89–718, §3, 80 Stat. 1115, provided that, unless retired or separated at an earlier date, each commissioned officer whose regular grade is below major general, other than a professor or the registrar of the United States Air Force Academy, be retired when he becomes 60 years of age, except as provided by section 8301 of title 5. See section 1251 of this title.

Section 8884, acts Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 547; Nov. 2, 1966, Pub. L. 89–718, §3, 80 Stat 1115, provided that, unless retired or separated at an earlier date, each commissioned officer whose regular grade is major general, and whose retirement under section 8923 of this title has been deferred under cl. (1) of that section, be retired when be becomes 60 years of age, except as provided by section 8301 of title 5. See section 1251 of this title.

Section 8885, acts Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 547; Sept. 2, 1958, Pub. L. 85–861, §33(a)(42), 72 Stat. 1567; Nov. 2, 1966, Pub. L. 89–718, §3, 80 Stat. 1115, provided that, unless retired or separated at an earlier date or unless retained under section 8923(2) of this title, each commissioned officer whose regular grade is major general be retired when he becomes 62 years of age, except as provided by section 8301 of title 5. See section 1251 of this title.

Section 8886, acts Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 547; Aug. 6, 1958, Pub. L. 85–600, §1(18), 72 Stat. 523; Nov. 2, 1966, Pub. L. 89–718, §3, 80 Stat. 1115, provided that, unless retired or separated at an earlier date, each commissioned officer whose regular grade is major general, and whose retirement under section 8923 of this title has been deferred under cl. (2) of that section, and each permanent professor and the registrar of the United States Air Force Academy, be retired when he becomes 64 years of age, except as provided by section 8301 of title 5. See section 1251 of this title.

A prior section 8887, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 547, related to computation of years of service of Air Force nurses or woman medical specialists for purposes of retirement under former sections 8881 or 8882 of this title, or retirement pay under former section 8991 of this title, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 85–155, title IV, §401(1), Aug. 21, 1957, 71 Stat. 390.

Prior sections 8888 And 8889 were repealed by Pub. L. 96–513, title II, §216, Dec. 12, 1980, 94 Stat. 2886, effective Sept. 15, 1981.

Section 8888, acts Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 547; Aug. 21, 1957, Pub. L. 85–155, title III, §301(16), 71 Stat. 388; May 20, 1958, Pub. L. 85–422, §11(a)(7), 72 Stat. 131; Sept. 2, 1958, Pub. L. 85–861, §1(194), 72 Stat. 1538; Sept. 30, 1966, Pub. L. 89–609, §1(30), 80 Stat. 854, related to computation of years of service for determining retired pay of a commissioned officer of Regular Air Force retired under former section 8883, 8884, 8885, or 8886 of this title. See section 1405 of this title.

Section 8889, act Aug. 10, 1956, ch. 1041, 70A Stat. 548, provided that a member of Air Force retired under this chapter be entitled to retired pay computed under former chapter 871 of this title.

Amendments

2018—Pub. L. 115–232, §807(d)(9), renumbered section 7681 of this title as this section.

Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 115–232, §809(a), substituted "section 8852(a)" for "section 7652(a)".

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 2018 Amendment

Reciprocal Privileges

The Governments listed below are accorded like privileges with respect to prizes captured under authority of the said Governments and brought into the territorial waters of the United States or taken or appropriated in the territorial waters of the United States for the use of the said Governments, namely: Australia, Proc. No. 2617, Aug. 16, 1944, 9 F.R. 9969; Canada, Proc. No. 2594, Sept. 27, 1943, 8 F.R. 13217; India, Proc. No. 2601, Dec. 6, 1943, 8 F.R. 16351; New Zealand, Proc. No. 2582, Apr. 2, 1943, 8 F.R. 4275; United Kingdom, Proc. No. 2575, Feb. 2, 1944, 8 F.R. 1429.