R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-24: Publication of notice of wreck found on Block Island.

The director of the department of environmental management, as soon as may be after the director’s arrival at the place where any wreck or goods shall be found, shall publish the particulars of the shipwreck and of the goods found, with such other material facts as the director shall ascertain, in the newspapers published in the city of Newport, in order that knowledge thereof may be given as soon as possible to the owner, agent, or person interested; and if the director shall neglect so to do, he or she shall forfeit fifty dollars ($50.00), to be recovered in an action at the suit of the owner, agent, or other person interested, to his or her own use.