https://navyhistory.au/possession-island/'This indicates the significance of the event was after days of being locked by reef strewn passages they had at last found a way clear and were on their way home, and had nothing to do with annexation'.
'The Secret Instructions, contained in the Letterbook carried on the Endeavour, include the Additional Instructions which authorised James Cook to take possession of 'a Continent or Land of great extent' thought to exist in southern latitudes. The second page instructs Cook 'with the Consent of the Natives to take possession of Convenient Situations in the Country in the Name of the King of Great Britain'.'
'Cameron-Ash contends that when he was at Batavia in October 1770 Cook rewrote a page in his journal concerning events on 22 August 1770 regarding the landing and passage through Torres Strait'.
Banks: 'I say James, what, did we do the jolly old naming thing?'
Cook: 'Yes, I think.. oh my gawd, I stuffed it. Banks old boy, I'm in deep, what can I do?'
Banks: 'Just forge the journal, of course'.
Cook : [splutter spit]. 'I'll get seven years flogging for that!'.
Banks : [drains the rum bottle] 'I'll draw the cartoon, you do the fake and the Tasmanian natives will never find out'.
Cook: 'So it's "New South Wales", you tell me? How about "George The Turd"?'