14. (1) If any vessel is wrecked, stranded or sunk in any such port so as to impede, or be likely to impede, the navigation thereof, the conservator may cause the vessel to be raised, removed or destroyed. (2) If any property recovered by a conservator acting under sub-section (1) is unclaimed or the person claiming it fails to pay the reasonable expenses incurred by the conservator under that sub-section and a further sum of twenty per cent. of the amount of such expenses, the conservator may sell the property by public auction, if the property is of a perishable nature, forthwith, and, if it is not of a perishable nature, at any time not less than six months after the recovery thereof. (3) The expenses and further sum aforesaid shall be payable to the conservator out of the sale-proceeds of the property, and the balance shall be paid to the person entitled to the property recovered, or, if no such person appears and claims the balance, shall be held in deposit for payment, without interest, to any person thereafter establishing his right thereto: Provided that the person makes his claim within three years from the date of the sale.