QUEEN CHARLOTTE'S ISLANDS, a cluster of south-sea islands discovered in 1767 by captain Carteret. He counted seven, and there were supposed to be many more. The inhabitants of these islands are described as extremely nimble and vigorous, and almost as well qualified to live in the water, as upon land: they are very warlike; and, on a quarrel with some of captain Carteret's people, they attacked them with great resolution; mortally wounded the master and three of the sailors; were not at all intimidated by the fire-arms; and at last, notwithstanding the aversion of captain Carteret to shed blood, he was obliged to secure the watering places by firing grape-shot into the woods which destroyed many of the inhabitants. These islands lie in S. Lat. 11°. E. Long. 164°. They are supposed to be the Santa Cruz of Mandana, who died there in 1595.