Robert Abram Bartlett

Last Voyage of the Karluk: A True Arctic Survival Story

No. of episodes

32

Latest episode

2026-07-14

Where can you listen?

When the Karluk, flagship of the Canadian Arctic Expedition, became trapped in relentless ice in August 1913, survival became a battle for the crew’s very existence. Robert Abram Bartlett, the expedition’s master, faced unimaginable odds as he led a desperate fight against nature's fury. As the ship drifted across the treacherous Beaufort and Chukchi seas, a chilling reality set in: they were at the mercy of the frigid Arctic. In January 1914, the ice finally claimed the Karluk, plunging the crew into a harrowing ordeal that would test their limits and resolve.

Listeners will journey alongside Bartlett and his men as they navigate the bleak, unyielding landscape of Wrangell Island, grappling with dwindling supplies, bitter cold, and the haunting specter of despair. Each day is a struggle, not just against the elements, but against the psychological toll of isolation and uncertainty. As they forge alliances and confront personal demons, the crew’s camaraderie and courage shine through the bleakness.

‘Last Voyage of the Karluk’ captivates with its raw account of human endurance and the will to survive against all odds. This memoir reveals not just the brutality of the Arctic, but the resilience of the human spirit. What choices will they make when survival hinges on impossible decisions? Discover the gripping tale of survival that will leave you questioning what you would do in their place.