On 15 Jun 1910 the Terra Nova left Cardiff with Captain Robert Falcon Scott and the British Antarcatic Expedition onboard for the ill-fated attempt to be the first men to reach the South Pole.

Cardiff ship owners and other businesses had provided support in terms of cash and supplies, including coal, patent fuel and oil. There was materials from across South Wales and Cardiff was designated the home port for Terra Nova and it was to here that she returned at the end of the expedition on 13 June 1913.