We give an exhaustive characterization of singular weak solutions for
ordinary differential equations of the form $\ddot{u},u + \frac{1}{2}\dot{u}^2
- F’(u) =0,whereF$ is an analytic function. Our motivation stems from the
fact that in the context of hydrodynamics several prominent equations are
reducible to an equation of this form upon passing to a moving frame. We
construct peaked and cusped waves, fronts with finite-time decay and compact
solitary waves. We prove that one cannot obtain peaked and compactly supported
traveling waves for the same equation. In particular, a peaked traveling wave
cannot have compact support and vice versa. To exemplify the approach we apply
our results to the Camassa-Holm equation and the equation for surface waves of
moderate amplitude, and show how the different types of singular solutions can
be obtained varying the energy level of the corresponding planar Hamiltonian
systems.