A dramatic incident showing a British man of war engaging a sailing vessel known as a lugger. It is flying the pirate flag and is therefore engaged in smuggling, bringing contraband goods into the country to avoid paying duty. This incident is taking place at night, with the moon appearing through the dark clouds on the right and the glow from the lighthouse on the headland on the left. Moonlight was often used by smugglers when landing contraband from the continent.

This painting shows a violent encounter between the law enforcers and smugglers, with guns aimed directly at the pirate ship. Despite a considerable strengthening of the preventive forces all around the British coast following the Napoleonic wars the benefits of avoiding custom duties made the risk worth taking.