Adopted 3 March 1933 on Geological Survey sheet 278A, Prince Rupert, applied to an area inside Kano Inlet, as labelled on BC map 2F, 1927 (file P.3.33). Application altered 14 June 1946 on C.3002, and 3 July 1946 on 103SE, applied to a much larger area south of Kano Inlet between Hunter and Tcenakun Points, as labelled on Vancouver's chart of Queen Charlotte Islands, BA2168, published in 1853 (file Q.1.45).

Source: BC place name cards, or correspondence to/from BC's Chief Geographer or BC Geographical Names Office

Named by Captain Vancouver 25 September 1793, when proceeding southwards at the termination of his second season's examination of this coast.

Source: Walbran, John T; British Columbia Coast Names, 1592-1906: their origin and history; Ottawa, 1909 (republished for the Vancouver Public Library by J.J. Douglas Ltd, Vancouver, 1971)

After John Cartwright, who served in the British Navy under Admiral Howe and later became a noted political reformer in Britain.

Source: Dalzell, Kathleen E; Queen Charlotte Islands - Book 2: of places and names; Prince Rupert: Cove Press, 1973