Possession Island (Queensland)

Possession Island (Kalaw Lagaw Ya: Bedanug or Bedhan Lag) is a small island in the Torres Strait Islands group off the coast of far northern Queensland, Australia. It is inhabited by a group of Torres Strait Islanders, the Kaurareg,^[1] though the Ankamuti were also indigenous to the island.

Possession Island

Geography
Location	Northern Australia
Coordinates	10.72667°S 142.39694°E / -10.72667; 142.39694
Area	5.5 km2 (2.1 sq mi)
Administration
Australia
State	Queensland
Shire	Shire of Torres

Captain Cook raises the Union Flag on Possession Island, 22 August 1770

Possession Island is included in Possession Island National Park, an area of 5.10 square kilometres (1.97 sq mi) which includes Eborac Island. The park was established as a Protected Area in 1977 and managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.^[2]

History

James Cook's claim of possession

In 1770, the British navigator Lieutenant James Cook sailed northward along the east coast of Australia in the Endeavour, anchoring for a week at Botany Bay. Three months later, at Possession Island in Queensland, he claimed possession of the entire east coast he had explored for Britain. In his journal, Cook wrote: "I now once more hoisted English Coulers and in the Name of His Majesty King George the Third took possession of the whole Eastern Coast... by the name New South Wales, together with all the Bays, Harbours Rivers and Islands situate upon the said coast".^[3]

In 2001, the Kaurareg people successfully claimed native title rights over the island (and other nearby islands).^[4]

Commemorations of Cook

In 1857, artist John Gilfillan exhibited in Melbourne an idyllic tableau painting commemorating the annexation titled Captain Cook taking possession of the Australian continent on behalf of the British crown 1770.^[5] In 1925, a memorial to Captain Cook was erected on the north-west coast of the island (10.71503°S 142.39298°E / -10.71503; 142.39298 (James Cook monument)).^[6][7][8]

References

1. "Local History page". Torres Shire Council. Archived from the original on 4 February 2022. Retrieved 4 February 2022.
2. "About - Possession Island National Park". Parks and forests. Department of Environment and Science, Queensland. 16 April 2020. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021. Retrieved 2 February 2021.
3. Cook, James. Journal of HMS Endeavour, 1769–1771. National Library of Australia, Manuscripts Collection, MS 1, 22 August 1770.
4. Kaurareg People v State of Queensland [2001] FCA 657, Federal Court.
5. nla.obj-135699884. National Library of Australia: Canberra.
6. "POSSESSION ISLAND". Daily Standard. No. 3745. Queensland, Australia. 8 January 1925. p. 2 (SECOND EDITION-3 p.m.). Retrieved 30 November 2024 – via National Library of Australia.
7. "Landing of Captain James Cook on Possession Island". Monument Australia. Retrieved 30 November 2024.
8. "Possession Island Monument" (Map). Google Maps. Retrieved 30 November 2024.

External links

• Thursday Island and Possession Island photographs 1970, State Library of Queensland

• Queensland portal