If the offending vessel is not claimed on or before the return day of the process issued hereunder, the court shall proceed to determine the case ex parte, in the manner provided for in the disposition of civil suits at law where the defendant, after having been duly cited, does not appear and answer, and the court shall render a judgment in his favor and against the offending vessel for the amount which the plaintiff in the cause may be entitled to recover, with interest and costs, and thereupon, when the judgment will have become final within the time prescribed for the finality of judgments in civil proceedings at law, and the said judgment has not been appealed from as provided in the Code of Civil Procedure for appeals from money judgments, the plaintiff may issue execution against the offending vessel and have it seized under a writ of fieri facias and sold to pay the amount of plaintiff’s judgment, with interest and costs, by preference and priority over all persons whomsoever.  Any amount remaining in the hands of the sheriff after the payment of the plaintiff’s judgment, with interest and costs, shall be disposed of by the sheriff as provided by the laws of Louisiana for the disposition of property in the hands of the sheriff belonging to unknown persons.