# Submarine Telegraph Act 1885, Part ARTICLE II


It is a punishable offence to break or injure a submarine cable, wilfully or by culpable negligence, in such manner as might interrupt or obstruct telegraphic communication, either wholly or partially, such punishment being without prejudice to any civil action for damages.
This provision does not apply to cases where those who break or injure a cable do so with the lawful object of saving their lives or their ship, after they have taken every necessary precaution to avoid so breaking or injuring the cable.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/Vict/48-49/49/schedule/part/2 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/submarine-telegraph-act-1885/schedule/part-2
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.