This engraving depicts the Battle of West Kay, which took place on 3 March, 1801, between the Danish brig 'Lougen' and two British ships, the Royal Navy's 'Arab' and the privateer 'Experiment'. The battle was a consequence of tensions between Britain and Denmark arising from the latter's involvement in the Second League of Armed Neutrality. The Second League was formed between Denmark and Norway, Prussia, Sweden, and Russia, to protect neutral shipping from interference by the Royal Navy, which operated a policy of searching for French contraband in an attempt to cut off supplies to the French Republic.

The 'Arab', under the command of Captain John Perkins, is depicted in the foreground firing ferociously into the 'Lougen' off West Kay, St Thomas, which was part of the Dutch West Indies. 'Experiment' joined 'Arab' in the attack on 'Lougen', with the two British ships sandwiching the Danish ship. During the engagement, which lasted for over an hour, one of Lougen '​s shots struck Arab '​s cathead and loosed the bower anchor, severely compromising Arab's ability to manoeuvre and allowing 'Lougen' to escape.