R.I. Gen. Laws § 46-10-26: Sale of property subject to reduction in value.

Whenever the property wrecked on Block Island may be much reduced in value by keeping it for one year, and no owner, agent or other person interested therein shall appear to claim it within sixty (60) days after it shall have been taken into the custody of the director of the department of environmental management, the director shall advertise the property in the public newspapers in the city of Newport and shall sell the property by auction to the best advantage.