It shall be the duty of the master warden of the port of Philadelphia,¹ immediately upon information of the sinking of any canal boat, barge, or other vessel in the channel-way of the tide-waters of the River Delaware or river Schuylkill, within the limits of the port of Philadelphia, to give notice to the owner, master or other agent having charge thereof, to raise and remove such obstruction within ten days after the date of said notice, under a penalty of one hundred dollars, to be sued for and recovered before any alderman or justice of the peace² within the limits as aforesaid, as by law such sums are recoverable from the owner, master or other agent having control of the same, to and for the use of the board of wardens of the port of Philadelphia, subject, nevertheless, to an appeal to the court of common pleas of the proper city and county; which said sum or sums so recovered shall be appropriated towards the payment of salaries and contingent expenses of the warden's office.