Winter online exhibition

Letter from Captain R Scott to Customs and Excise

6 May 1910

Accession number CENM1996.1066.3

This letter was written in England during the summer but its author, Captain R Scott, was preparing to face some extremely cold wintry conditions at the time.

Captain Scott sent the letter to Customs and Excise, the former name of HM Revenue and Customs, to request exemption from tax for the ship Terra Nova, which was part of the British Antarctic expedition in 1910. Even famous explorers need to complete paperwork and deal with customs before they set off on their travels. This is a side of polar exploration that you wouldn't normally see!

The letter is now in the collections of Seized! The Border and Customs uncovered, the national museum of HM Revenue and Customs. The full text of the letter reads:

"BRITISH ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION 1910
36 & 38 VICTORIA STREET
LONDON S.W.

TELEGRAMS
"ONWARDNESS" LONDON
TELEPHONE 1480 GERRARD

Honourable Sirs,

I beg to bring before your notice the fact that the S.Y. "Terra Nova" with members of this Expedition will be sailing from London on the 1st June, with Officers and Crew of 50 men.

I am provisioning the ship for two years and in view of the nature of the Expedition, I beg you will grant me the same facilities for the shipment of excess bonded stores as you kindly did in the case of the "Discovery" Expedition, and also allow me to be exempt from the usual clearance, outwards.

I have the honour to be,

Your obedient Servant,

R Scott

Captain

Honourable Commissioners of Custom and Excise,
Custom House
W.O."