Admiralty Droits

Admiralty Droits were formerly a portion of the hereditary revenues of the crown, arising from enemies' ships detained in the prospect of a declaration of war, or coming into port in ignorance of the commencement of hostilities, or from such ships as are taken by non-commissioned captors, the proceeds of wrecks, the goods of pirates, and the like. The proceeds of the Droits of Admiralty are now paid into the Exchequer for the public use.