53 Pa. Stat. § 16841
That if any owner or owners of any lot or lots of ground extending into the river Schuylkill, from the lower falls thereof to its junction with the river Delaware, shall build any wharf, house, store or other building, further into the said river than to common low-water mark, without license first had and obtained from the said wardens, or further into the said river than may be permitted by such license, he, she, or they being legally convicted of the same shall pay a fine of one thousand dollars, to be recovered with costs as debts of the same amount are or may be by law recoverable; one-half of which fine shall be paid to the guardians or overseers of the poor of the city, district, or township where such wharf or building shall be erected, and the other half to the person or persons who shall sue for and recover the same.
53 P.S. § 16841