The Nautical Encyclopedia

Patterson’s Illustrated Nautical Encyclopedia — Howard Patterson, 1891

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Home ⚓ Letter D ⚓ Derelict

Derelict

Sea Terms

A vessel abandoned at sea.

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2026 Editor's Note: A derelict — a vessel abandoned at sea — is still a live legal category in salvage law, and the word's shore meaning (abandoned buildings, abandoned duties) is this entry gone metaphorical. (Ed: BR 2026-06-24)

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The Nautical Encyclopedia (1891) is in the public domain; this digital edition © 2026 PhotoOpAI.