Historic wood panelling reputed to be from Captain Scott’s famous ship, the Terra Nova, have been saved from demolition by an order of nuns and The Royal Hotel, Cardiff  brought together by the South Wales Echo.

The discovery came to light when Sisters of St Joseph’s Convent on North Road, read about the hotel’s missing Captain Scott memorial plaque in the Echo, in February.  The plaque commemorated the Antarctic explorer’s last meal held at the Royal, before embarking on his final expedition.  The Captain Scott Room has been preserved ever since.

With their convent due to be demolished after 75 years of their occupancy, the nuns contacted The Royal Hotel to offer the antique panelling so that it could be preserved for future generations.

Jon Swingler, Resident Manager of the hotel said: “We are hugely grateful to the sisters and The Echo for leading us to this wonderful find. We have been able to recover 34 feet and it is in excellent condition.  Our first project will be to restore it on the main bar of the Captain Scott Room, on Monday 29th November.  

The exact provenance of the panelling cannot be proven, but the legend that it comes from the Terra Nova has been held by the Sisters since moving to the Convent after the First World War.  We also understand that the original owner of the house was a seafaring man and the use of ship’s timbers and furniture was a common practice in Cardiff at the time. We are proud to be able to continue this wonderful story.”

It is believed that a reclamation warehouse in Grangetown which collected wood and furniture from ships in the Docks, was the original source of the panelling in the Convent. The Sister’s of St Josephs are pleased that the boards are going to a good home and know that the Royal will treasure them as much as they have.