At the southwestern tip of New Zealand’s South Island lies the only known natural feature to bear the name Edwardson. Moana-whenua-pōuri / Edwardson Sound is a gorgeous fjord, surrounded by mountains and forests. Secluded from towns or villages, it is a hidden gem in the remote wilderness of Southland. 

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The fjord bears the name Edwardson because, in 1813, the first Europeans to visit it arrived aboard the cutter ship Snapper, commanded by Captain William Lawrence Edwardson. They entered the remote inlet on a voyage of exploration, chartering the awe-inspiring coastline which until then was known only to the native Maori. Edwardson’s party camped briefly before departing, only to return seven years later in 1820 to reassess the area.

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Between 1816 and 1826, Captain Edwardson frequently appears in the records of colonial Australia. During that time he is listed in official documents as both Captain of the Snapper and First Officer of the ship 'Surrey'. His work was varied, supporting both the colonial administration and settlers. As well as exploration, we see him delivering supplies to the settlement of Newcastle, New South Wales; receiving transported convicts; and rescuing settlers from peril in isolated colonies. 

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Beyond this, however, we can find scant details about him. Where was he born, and when? There seem to be no birth records for a 'William Lawrence Edwardson' in Britain the late 1700s. Intriguingly, a William Edwardson was born in Widnes in 1781 and baptized at St. Luke’s Church in Farnworth—where generations of Edwardsons had been brought into the Christian fold. Is this him? Perhaps - without further evidence, we simply can't be sure.

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We can say that by 1816 he was an experienced sailor and commander. That he travelled to Australia seeks of a sense of adventure and desire to seek new opportunities. His track record down-under is one of an active man, undertaking his duties with energy and drive. Respected for his abilities, he was appointed Deputy Harbour Master and Pilot of Sydney Harbour in 1823, following the dismissal of his predecessor for gross misconduct.

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The New Zealand: Index of Early Settlers records his death in Sydney on 2 February 1826. It gives his birth as only 'about 1780', with no location. Was he an Edwardson of the old Lancashire line? Perhaps. What is certain is that his skill and adventurous spirit forever linked the name Edwardson to one of the world’s most dramatic landscapess.

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Today, the name Edwardson Sound is recognised jointly with the Maori name for the fjord - 'Moana-whenua-pōuri' ('Dark-Earth-Ocean'). For Edwardsons, both names are uniquely evocative.