Every person subject to naval law who attempts to commit any of the offences specified in sections 34 to 74 and 76 and in such attempt does any act towards the commission of the offence shall, where no express provision is made by this Act for the punishment of such attempt, be punished,—

(a) if the offence attempted to be committed is punishable with death, with imprisonment for a term which may extend to fourteen years or such other punishment as is hereinafter mentioned, and

(b) if the offence attempted to be committed is punishable with imprisonment, with one-half of the maximum punishment provided for the offence or with such other punishment as is hereinafter mentioned.