Terra Nova Expedition Timeline 1910–1913
Explore records covering Robert Falcon Scott's Terra Nova expedition, its personnel, Antarctic voyage, Cape Evans base, scientific programme, southern journey, Northern Party and the expedition's legacy.
Historical overview
From expedition planning and Cape Evans to the South Pole and final relief
The archive follows Scott's British Antarctic Expedition through organisation, the voyage south, Antarctic science, field parties, the polar journey and Terra Nova's return in 1913.
Planning and departure
Scott assembled a mixed naval, scientific and civilian expedition, raised funds and selected Terra Nova as the expedition ship. The vessel left Cardiff in June 1910 before calls in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand.
Storm and pack ice
After leaving Port Chalmers on 29 November 1910, Terra Nova encountered a severe Southern Ocean storm and then spent about twenty days struggling through Antarctic pack ice.
Cape Evans and science
The expedition landed at Cape Evans on 4 January 1911 and built its principal base. From there, scientists pursued meteorology, geology, biology, physics, glaciology and survey work.
Field parties and Amundsen
Terra Nova landed geological and northern field parties and reached the Bay of Whales in February 1911, where the crew found Roald Amundsen's Fram and confirmed direct competition for the Pole.
The South Pole
Scott's southern journey began in November 1911. Scott, Wilson, Bowers, Oates and Edgar Evans reached the South Pole in January 1912 after Amundsen, and all five died during the return journey.
Relief and legacy
The expedition continued scientific and relief work after the polar party disappeared. Terra Nova returned in January 1913, collected the remaining expedition members and carried news of the tragedy north.
1910 15th JuneTerra Nova leaves Cardiff
1910 29th NovemberLeaves Port Chalmers
1911 4th JanuaryCape Evans landing
1911 3rd FebruaryFram found at Bay of Whales
1911 1st NovemberSouthern journey begins
1912 JanuaryScott reaches the South Pole
1913 19th JanuaryFinal Cape Evans departure
1913 10th FebruaryNews of polar losses released
Historical photographs
Terra Nova, Cape Evans and the polar party
Historical photographs are stored locally for stable display. Source-page links are retained so the original image provenance and licensing information remain visible.
Permanent subject pages
Explore the expedition by phase, place, science and person
These crawlable pages are generated from the same 89-record archive and combine historical context with matching chronology records rendered as static HTML.
Terra Nova Expedition Planning and RecruitmentFunding, organisation, appointments and preparations for the British Antarctic ExpeditionTerra Nova Outward Voyage, 1910London, Cardiff, Cape Town, New Zealand and the long voyage southSouthern Ocean Storm and Pack IceThe difficult final approach to Antarctica in December 1910Cape Evans Base and Scott's HutThe principal winter headquarters of the Terra Nova ExpeditionTerra Nova Scientific ProgrammeGeology, meteorology, biology, physics, glaciology and survey workWestern Party Geological JourneysField geology west of McMurdo SoundTerra Nova Northern PartyVictor Campbell's field party at Cape Adare and Evans CovesBay of Whales: Amundsen and FramTerra Nova's unexpected encounter with the Norwegian South Pole expeditionScott's South Pole JourneyThe southern journey, the polar party and the loss of Scott's five-man teamPonies, Dogs, Skis and Motor SledgesThe expedition's mixed transport strategyTerra Nova Ship OperationsNavigation, coastal survey, resupply and relief voyages in the Ross SeaFinal Relief and Return, 1913The expedition's final Antarctic season and the return northDiscovery Expedition BackgroundScott, Terra Nova and the earlier British Antarctic Expedition of 1901–1904Robert Falcon ScottLeader of the British Antarctic Expedition 1910–1913Harry PennellNavigator and Terra Nova commander during major ship operationsEdward EvansSecond-in-command, expedition organiser and later Terra Nova commanderVictor CampbellLeader of the Eastern and Northern field partiesLawrence OatesArmy officer responsible for ponies and member of the final polar partyFrank DebenhamGeologist of the Western PartyWilliam LashlyVeteran polar seaman and motor-sledge participantTom CreanExperienced Antarctic seaman who served on Scott's expeditionHenry BowersStores officer and member of the final polar party
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About this page
This Terra Nova page is generated from the supplied World History Database records. The archive includes expedition preparation, personnel, ship movements, Antarctic fieldwork, Cape Evans, support parties and later records connected with the expedition.
Sources and editorial review
Sources and further reading
Compiled and edited by World History Database.
The historical overview provides context for the site's 89 structured Terra Nova records. The chronology preserves the database's stored dates, people, countries, places, event labels and descriptions.
Last reviewed: September 2026.