N.Y. Navigation Law § 130: Powers and duties of sheriff

§ 130. Powers and duties of sheriff. The sheriff of every county in

which any wrecked property shall be found, when no owner or other person

entitled to the possession of such property shall appear, shall

severally take all necessary measures for saving and securing such

property; take possession thereof, in whose hands soever the same may

be, in the name of the people of the state; cause the value thereof to

be appraised by disinterested persons, and keep the same in some safe

place to answer the claims of the persons entitled thereto.