R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-10: Sale of perishable goods or goods subject to reduction in value — Accounting.

If the shipwrecked goods found be of a perishable nature or be much reduced in value by keeping, and if no owner or agent or other person interested appear to take the goods, the commissioner shall immediately advertise the goods in one of the daily newspapers published in the city of Providence, and also by posting notices in the town in which the goods shall be so found, and shall within six (6) days sell the goods at public auction to the highest bidder; and the commissioner shall within twenty (20) days after the sale render a just and true account in writing, subscribed by the commissioner to the town treasurer, of all the goods sold by the commissioner.