Delivering armed vessel to belligerent nation
Official text prohibited actmental stateif conditionpenaltylegal term
(a) During a war in which the United States is a neutral nation, it shall be unlawful to send out of the United States any vessel built, armed, or equipped as a vessel of war, or converted from a private vessel into a vessel of war, with any intent or under any agreement or contract that such vessel will be delivered to a belligerent nation, or to an agent, officer, or citizen of such nation, or with reasonable cause to believe that the said vessel will be employed in the service of any such belligerent nation after its departure from the jurisdiction of the United States.
(b) Whoever, in violation of this section, takes or to take, or authorizes the taking of any such vessel, out of port or from the United States, shall be or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both.
In addition, such vessel, her tackle, apparel, furniture, equipment, and her cargo shall be to the United States.
History: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 747 (PDF, 39 MB); Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, §330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147 (PDF, 52 MB).)
Simplified explanation
During a war in which the U.S. is neutral, it is unlawful to send a warship or converted war vessel out of the U.S. intending, or with reason to believe, that it will be delivered to or serve a country at war. It is a federal crime to take, try to take, or authorize taking such a vessel out of port.