Recovery of damages from the owner of vessel, etc

Where any vessel or drift fouls a pier, jetty, wharf or quay and causes damage thereto, the owner or master of the vessel or the owner of the drift, as the case may be, shall be liable for the amount of such damage which may be ascertained in the manner prescribed and recovered in accordance with the rules made by the Government either by seizure and sale of such vessel or drift and of any property thereon or in such other manner as may be prescribed.