For partial wetting, motion of the triple liquid-gas-solid contact line is influenced b heterogeneities of the solid surface. This influence can be strong in the case of inertial (e.g., oscillation) flows where the line can be pinned or move intermittently. A model that takes into account both surface defects and fluid inertia is proposed. The viscous dissipation in the bulk of the fluid is assumed to be negligible as compared to the dissipation in the vicinity of the contact line. The equations of motion and the boundary condition at the contact line are derived from Hamilton's principle. The rapid capillary rise along a vertical inhomogeneous wall is treated as an example. (c) 2006 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.