This is one of a set of four prints in Cleveley's well-known series related to Captain James Cook's third voyage to the Pacific. It shows the death of Cook in the skirmish at Kealakekua Bay, Hawaii, on 14 February 1779, that was provoked by his attempt to retrieve a boat stolen by local people for its iron fittings.

For further information see PAH7776, which is a brighter copy: PAJ3943 is another duplicate. For notes on the set see PAI0470.