Captain James Cook died on February 14, 1779, in Hawaii during a confrontation when he attempted to kidnap Kalaniʻōpuʻu, the ruling chief of the island, to demand the return of a stolen cutter. As Cook and his men tried to take the chief to their ship, they were confronted by a crowd of Hawaiians at Kealakekua Bay. In the ensuing fight, Cook was stabbed and beaten to death by the Hawaiians. His body was later dismembered and distributed to chiefs as a mark of respect. Following British reprisals, Cook's remains were returned to his crew, who buried him at sea with military honors.