The right, title and interest of the State in and to, and the jurisdiction of the State over, the following described lands situated in Beaufort County has been granted and ceded to the United States for naval and military purposes, to wit: All the area between high and low-water marks immediately adjacent to and surrounding Parris Island and all islands immediately contiguous to Parris Island and now owned by the United States.
Reversion. When the use thereof by the United States for naval and military purposes is terminated or is deemed no longer necessary the title to such lands shall revert to the State.
Criminal jurisdiction and service of process. There was reserved to the State a concurrent jurisdiction of criminal cases cognizable under the laws of the State and for the execution upon or within said area of all process, civil and criminal, lawfully issued by the courts of the State and not incompatible with such cession.
Compensation of individuals. Such grant was made upon condition that it would not be effectual as to any portion of the premises embraced in the foregoing description, in or to which any person had then any right, title, leasehold or interest or upon which any person then owned or had buildings, structures or improvements, until the United States compensated such person for such right, title, leasehold or interest and for such buildings, structures and improvements and acquired the right, title, leasehold or interest of such person thereto or therein.
Determination of such compensation. In case of the failure of the United States and any person interested as aforesaid or owner as aforesaid to agree upon proper compensation to be paid, as above provided, the United States may have such compensation determined by the verdict of a jury, upon application by petition to the court of common pleas of Beaufort County. Said court shall have exclusive jurisdiction of such petition which shall be served as by law a summons in a civil action in said court is required to be served. Any such cause shall be heard, without delay, at a term of court and under the direction of the presiding judge thereof and such determination shall be final and without appeal. Upon the amount so found being paid, with all costs of the proceeding, if any, the right, title and interest of such person or owner thereto and therein shall vest in the United States.
HISTORY: 1962 Code Section 39-110; 1952 Code Section 39-110; 1942 Code Section 2042; 1941 (42) 192.