Thomas Bewes Strangways

Who was Thomas Bewes Strangways?

Thomas Bewes Strangways, generally called "Bewes Strangways" or "T. Bewes Strangways", was an explorer and early settler of South Australia.

He arrived in the new colony on the HMS Buffalo and at the time, was engaged to one of Governor John Hindmarsh's daughters. However, they never married and he later married Lavinia Albina née Fowler. He sat on the Street Naming Committee, where Strangways Terrace, located in North Adelaide was named after him.

In November 1837, Strangways, Young Bingham Hutchinson and a party explored the Fleurieu Peninsula and Lake Alexandrina region, searching for other outlets to the Southern Ocean. In the process, they discovered Currency Creek, which they named after the whale boat they were using, the Currency Lass.

Strangways was the uncle of future South Australian Premier, Henry Strangways. Giles Strangways, an associate of John Finnis and Charles Sturt in their pioneering cattle drive of 1838, was a brother.