Section 35. Persons taking up anchor or cable to report; to advertise for owner; compensation to be paid owner
Whenever any person or persons whosoever shall take or cause to be taken up, within the bay or river Delaware, any anchor or cable, he or they shall bring the same to the port of Philadelphia, and immediately file a written notice thereof, in the office of the wardens of the said port, stating the time when and the place where such anchor or cable was taken up, and shall also cause a copy of such notice forthwith to be inserted in one of the English newspapers of the city of Philadelphia, and continue therein twice a week for the space of two months, unless the owner or owners thereof, his or their agent or agents, shall, before the expiration of the said period, file a claim in writing in the said office, to such anchor or cable, and if upon the filing of such claim sufficient proof of the property of such claimant be made within a reasonable time, to the satisfaction of the board of wardens, every anchor or cable so taken up and claimed as aforesaid, shall be restored to its proper owner or owners, his or their agent or agents; he or they paying to the person or persons, so taking up and bringing the same to the said port, one-half of the value thereof, if taken up between the northernmost part of reedy Island and the capes of Delaware, and one-third of the value thereof, if taken up between the northernmost part of said island and the port of philadelphia; which valuation shall be made by two persons respectively to be chosen by the parties, who in case of disagreement shall appoint a third, whose decision shall be final; If no claim shall be so filed within the period aforesaid, the anchor or cable so taken up and brought to the said port shall be vested in and become the property of the person or persons who may have taken up the same; and if any person or persons, who shall have so taken up any anchor or cable, neglect or refuse to observe or comply with the directions above mentioned, he or they shall forfeit and pay for every such offense the sum of fifty dollars, to be sued for, recovered and applied for the use of decayed pilots, their widows and children, by the master warden of the said port: Provided always, That if the fine or penalty aforesaid shall be recovered from any person other than a pilot, the money so recovered shall go to the board of wardens, to defray the contingent expenses of said board. 1803, March 29, P.L. 542, 4 sm. L. 67, Sec. 35.