in early january 1774, a boatload of this third class attempted to land at nick's cove an unsanctioned landing area in marblehead. many townspeople were upset and a period of disorder and riots ensued. on january 12, the hospital boat mercury was set on fire in marblehead harbor. one week later four townsmen were caught stealing contaminated clothing from the island while attempting to smuggle them into marblehead. presumably, they were hoping to earn condemnation for the hospital by starting an outbreak of smallpox. the following morning the four were tarred and feathered and paraded through marblehead into salem, a source of much entertainment to those witnessing the spectacle. due to ongoing opposition, the hospital proprietors called for a town meeting on january 24 to ask the town to purchase the hospital and supplies, and to decide if the hospital should be kept open. alternatively, they requested that if the hospital be closed that "a committee to cleanse the furniture, etc. in the so just and most satisfactory manner to the town" be formed. the town refused to buy the hospital and supplies but did form a committee to oversee disinfection. on the following day, the three committee members and eight members of their family spent the next two days on the island cleaning and disinfecting, when on the second night they were suddenly awakened by fire. during the night, approximately 20 townspeople had snuck onto the island and set the hospital on fire. everyone escaped alive but all buildings and property were burned or destroyed.