I need to make a bonfire on the beach, but it must be containted.  Ie,
it must be burning IN something so the ashes aren't all left on teh
beach to scatter.  I need a large metal... something.  I guess a bowl
shape of somesort.  about 2 or 3 feet around.  It should be light and
portable, and obviously flame retardant.  I also need to be able to
get it to southampton by saturday august 23rd.

Additionally i need a large pile of wood to burn in this object.  i
would like it to burn about3 or 4 hours.. maybe more?

Perhaps you could use a large, heat-resistant ceramic pan. Even a
large metal drum like those used in factories or large garbage bins
could be used. Maybe you just need to trim down the drum.

Here's exactly what you need but I don't know how you could get one to
Southampton by Saturday.

Backyard Firepit™ 
Share outdoor evenings with family and friends around the original—and
best—Backyard Firepit™. Only our proprietary design has an extra-thick
copper basin safety tested to 700° and a one-piece wrought-iron
stand—yet is portable enough (29 lbs.) to take to the beach or on a
picnic.

http://www.smithandhawken.com/jhtml/site/catalog/Product.jhtml?http://www.smithandhawken.com/jhtml/site/catalog/Product.jhtml?PRODID=9436

You might try the bottom of an old barbeque (kettle, or the flatter
pan type), with the stand removed, so it can be set into the sand.
Boxes or bundles of firewood are available at most markets near the
beach.

Beach Firewood Online
://www.google.com/search?q=%22boxed+firewood%22+OR+%22bundled+firewood%22

---larre

Or if you don't have an old barbeque grill bottom, what about a
galvanized wash tub? Although they're not online, you can usually find
one at Home Depot or a Ace Hardware.

Serenata