 An expedition back to Alceste to see what could be salvaged was interrupted by the arrival of pirates in the form of Malay <unk> . The unarmed expedition was obliged to return to the shore , and leave the pirates to plunder the wreck . Maxwell ordered the construction of a stockade and the improvisation of additional weapons to counter the threat of an attack . On 22 February , an armed party was sent out to reclaim the ship but before they could do so , the pirates set light to Alceste and made off . The wreck was completely destroyed by the fire which lasted throughout the night but , because the marooned had since managed to construct a well on the island , the impact was minimal . Even so , the following morning , Maxwell sent out a boat which managed to retrieve some barrels of flour , cases of wine and a cask of ale . At dawn on 26 February two proas and two canoes entered the cove but the second lieutenant , Hay , led a sortie in which one of the proas was boarded , four pirates were killed , five jumped into the sea and two were captured . The boat could not be brought in however as she was scuttled beforehand and sank quickly . Later that day the pirates returned in force and the following day further reinforcements arrived . The pirates did not attempt to land but behaved aggressively , firing their swivel guns towards the shore . Fourteen more proas arrived during the day , on 1 March , and several more during the night . With the provisions running low , the build @-@ up of pirates , and a rescue now overdue , Maxwell formulated a plan to capture sufficient proas to escape from the island . While the plan was being proposed , a sail was spotted on the horizon , heading toward the island . The appearance of this vessel , coupled with a sudden attack spearheaded by Alceste 's marines , caused the pirates to flee . 
