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The Last Voyage of the Karluk: Shipwreck and Rescue in the Arctic
On January 4, 1914, the Karluk was stuck in ice when the ominous sound of the ship’s stern being ripped open by pack ice was heard by all on board. It sounded like the firing of a cannon. Bartlett immediately ordered supplies be unloaded on the ice. The Karluk began to break up on January 10, and all on board were ordered to abandon ship. When everyone was safely on the ice, the captain himself went back to his cabin and, all alone, put Chopin’s Funeral March on his Victrola. As the water rose in the cabin, he whispered "Goodbye," left the sinking vessel to the mournful sound of Chopin’s music and hurried out on the ice. It was to be the beginning of one of the greatest feats of valour in world history.
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 1916
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86 people want to read
About the author
Robert Abram Bartlett
28 books1 followerAmerican explorer Robert Abram Bartlett, known as "Captain Bob," accompanied polar expedition of 1909 of Robert Edwin Peary and led numerous other Arctic voyages.
He explored in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...
He explored in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_...
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
February 6, 2025
Review originally posted 8 January 2015 at Falling Letters.
One of the earliest chapter books I remember reading, perhaps in grade three, is Trapped in Ice by Eric Walters. The main character is Helen, a 13 year-old who boards the Karlukwith her seamstress mother and younger brother. I remember being disappointed, at that age, when I eventually found out she wasn't real (There was a Helen aboard the Karluk- an 8 year old Inuk girl, on board with her mother, father, and baby sister).
One scene that stood out for me from Trapped In Ice was Captain Bartlett playing Chopin's "Funeral March" as the ship goes down, and jumping from the ship to the ice at the last moment. Of all the bits of the tale I expected to be fictionalized...this one wasn't! I didn't know what happened to the Captain after he left the island to get help (other than that they were eventually rescued), so there was still a good chunk of the story left (about 50%) for me to learn about.
I enjoyed reading the tale in the Captain's own words. I have a budding interest in seafaring exploration. This is the first book I've read that was written by someone who lived it. The tone is naturally a bit more formal and old-fashioned so while it wasn't a dull read for me it felt much slower going as the two books I'd read immediately prior I had completed in a day each. I did get the sense that quite a lot of sugar-coating happens in this narration, if only by omission...This is not a tell-all where Bartlett disparages those who might rightly deserve to be. I have a couple other books on my TBR about the Karluk, so I'll have to compare. Bartlett remains very factual at times, but his personality does come through. I especially felt for him as he wrote of his angst while he waited weeks for a ship to be finally sent to pick up the remainder of the Karlukcrew, knowing that they had no idea if he had succeeded.
How well off they were, for so long after the Karluk was trapped and sunk, surprised me. They had good stores of food and no health troubles. Of course, how they fared after Bartlett departed isn't really dealt with (and see my comment on sugar-coating above...). Still, I'm always amazed at how much can be packed into a ship!
Bartlett has a largely decent attitude towards the Inuit. Though he at times uses the term savages, he seems to respect them and their abilities. He writes, "Then he [an Inuit he's trying to trade with] voice the age-old cry of the savage against the civilized; the pity of it is that the savage is right. 'White man steal from other man,' he said. 'White man promise bring things for fox skins and bear skins. White man no bring 'em. White man go 'way, forget come back.'" (251)
I liked the bits where Bartlett explains about the practicalities of travelling in the Arctic. I even liked his lists of supplies! I was reminded of Chris Hadfield's book, which really put into perspective the astonishing amount of knowledge of an astronaut must have in order to be able to survive many scenarios. Bartlett demonstrates his knowledge of Arctic ice travel, of rationing and keeping moral and navigating dangerous ice, which saved those who followed his lead.
Call it love of adventure if you will; it seems to me the life that ought to appeal to any man with red blood in his veins, for as long as there is a square mile of the old earth's surface that is unexplored, man will want to seek out that spot and find out all about ti and bring back word of what he finds. Some people call the search for the North Pole a sporting event; to me it represents the unconquerable aspiration of mankind to attain an ideal. Our Karluk drift and its possibilities interested me keenly, for we were on the way to a vast region where man had never been; we were learning things about ocean currents and the influence of the winds and almost daily were bringing up strange specimens from the bottom of the sea. And I felt sure that come what might we would get back in safety to civilization. (50)
One of the earliest chapter books I remember reading, perhaps in grade three, is Trapped in Ice by Eric Walters. The main character is Helen, a 13 year-old who boards the Karlukwith her seamstress mother and younger brother. I remember being disappointed, at that age, when I eventually found out she wasn't real (There was a Helen aboard the Karluk- an 8 year old Inuk girl, on board with her mother, father, and baby sister).
One scene that stood out for me from Trapped In Ice was Captain Bartlett playing Chopin's "Funeral March" as the ship goes down, and jumping from the ship to the ice at the last moment. Of all the bits of the tale I expected to be fictionalized...this one wasn't! I didn't know what happened to the Captain after he left the island to get help (other than that they were eventually rescued), so there was still a good chunk of the story left (about 50%) for me to learn about.
I enjoyed reading the tale in the Captain's own words. I have a budding interest in seafaring exploration. This is the first book I've read that was written by someone who lived it. The tone is naturally a bit more formal and old-fashioned so while it wasn't a dull read for me it felt much slower going as the two books I'd read immediately prior I had completed in a day each. I did get the sense that quite a lot of sugar-coating happens in this narration, if only by omission...This is not a tell-all where Bartlett disparages those who might rightly deserve to be. I have a couple other books on my TBR about the Karluk, so I'll have to compare. Bartlett remains very factual at times, but his personality does come through. I especially felt for him as he wrote of his angst while he waited weeks for a ship to be finally sent to pick up the remainder of the Karlukcrew, knowing that they had no idea if he had succeeded.
How well off they were, for so long after the Karluk was trapped and sunk, surprised me. They had good stores of food and no health troubles. Of course, how they fared after Bartlett departed isn't really dealt with (and see my comment on sugar-coating above...). Still, I'm always amazed at how much can be packed into a ship!
Bartlett has a largely decent attitude towards the Inuit. Though he at times uses the term savages, he seems to respect them and their abilities. He writes, "Then he [an Inuit he's trying to trade with] voice the age-old cry of the savage against the civilized; the pity of it is that the savage is right. 'White man steal from other man,' he said. 'White man promise bring things for fox skins and bear skins. White man no bring 'em. White man go 'way, forget come back.'" (251)
I liked the bits where Bartlett explains about the practicalities of travelling in the Arctic. I even liked his lists of supplies! I was reminded of Chris Hadfield's book, which really put into perspective the astonishing amount of knowledge of an astronaut must have in order to be able to survive many scenarios. Bartlett demonstrates his knowledge of Arctic ice travel, of rationing and keeping moral and navigating dangerous ice, which saved those who followed his lead.
Pemmican has been the staple article of food for polar expeditions for many years and contains, in small compass, the essentials adequate to support life. It is put up by various packing-houses, expressly for such needs as ours. I have lived for a hundred and twenty days on pemmican, biscuit and tea and found it amply sufficient. We had two kinds of pemmican; one, for ourselves, consisting of beef, raisins, sugar and suet, all cooked together and pressed, was packed in blue tins; the other, for the dogs, without the raisins and sugar, in red tins. I remember once, after a talk which I was giving on the North Pole trip, a lady came up to me and inquired what pemmican was, which I had mentioned several times. I explained what it was made of and what it was used for. She thought for a moment and then said, "Well, what I don't understand is how you shoot them." (117-8)
September 10, 2007
The narration by Frank Holden was so plausible that I was totally sucked in. There are no pyrotechnics here - just a solid recounting of an unimaginable challenge. At the only point where extra music was introduced (a Victrola recording of Chopin's Funeral March - which Bartlett played as the ship went beneath the ice) it was all the more moving in contrast to the simple elegance with which the drama of the situation had unfolded.
October 28, 2021
What a great story of survival in the Arctic North in 1913. Good pace to the story which is something I will have to learn more about specifically Captain Bartlett who wrote this book.
May 17, 2011
I enjoyed this adventure of survival in the North. However I am not sure it is for everyone. Some may find it monotonous or tedious, but I find it fascinating to listen to how people survive in situations that are out of their control. This is non-fiction as well, which makes the things that the crew had to endure all the more amazing. If you like Farley Mowat's Lost in the Barrens, then this should be right up your alley.
April 18, 2022
I found it rather refreshing to read an account written by someone actually involved in the events that wasn't simply out to toot his own horn. This was not the first book I've read about the Karluk. Bartlett was a hero in extraordinary circumstances, but I was surprised at how modest and humble he was about his role in saving his crew's lives. Unique man.
August 4, 2021
Interesting account of survival in the Arctic. Sounds a little chilly for me.
November 29, 2025
A biography of Bartlett says that this book was ghostwritten, and I believe it. The writing is almost excessively proper. Certainly it goes into greater detail about the expedition than Bartlett did in his “Log of Bob Bartlett,” but it lacks the Bartlett flavor that makes the “Log” so entertaining and emotional. I felt almost sad at how bored I got reading this book about what was actually a very interesting and exciting story. However, I must commend Bartlett and/or the ghostwriter for the fair and reasonably progressive treatment of the various indigenous people who participated in the expedition, as well as the people who helped bring about the rescue. The observations about indigenous life and traditions are fascinating, actually the most interesting bits of the book for me. Unfortunately the ending is dissatisfying— there is no conclusion or epilogue.
As for the “leader” of this expedition, he is hardly mentioned, and rightly so. Good riddance. That anyone survived at all is thanks to Bartlett and Kataktovik and the many people who helped them.
I would recommend Buddy Levy’s “Empire of Ice and Sky” over this book. Next I will read Jennifer Niven’s “Ice Master” to see how it measures up.
As for the “leader” of this expedition, he is hardly mentioned, and rightly so. Good riddance. That anyone survived at all is thanks to Bartlett and Kataktovik and the many people who helped them.
I would recommend Buddy Levy’s “Empire of Ice and Sky” over this book. Next I will read Jennifer Niven’s “Ice Master” to see how it measures up.
November 19, 2018
The last voyage of the Karluk was a book about the last voyage of the karluk. This book takes place from the point of view of an astronomer William McKinkey. He was invited to a 4 year expedition to the north pole in hope of discovering something new. When he arrived there was some difficulties and the expedition was delayed. The delay caused some issues which caused them to miss a whole year because of the ice. After the ice cleared they began their expedition. Their expedition was cut off quickly due to the harsh arctic conditions and the waves. They eventually got stranded on an island with also losing some of their crew. They were found by a charter fishing boat where they were treated like heroes.
I would give this book a 2/5. This book was very underwhelming and half of the time I was reading it I was not paying attention. Most of this book was just details that didn't really add anything to the story. I will give that there was a little bit of action but defiantly not enough. This is most of the reason I don't read non-fiction books.
I would give this book a 2/5. This book was very underwhelming and half of the time I was reading it I was not paying attention. Most of this book was just details that didn't really add anything to the story. I will give that there was a little bit of action but defiantly not enough. This is most of the reason I don't read non-fiction books.
August 28, 2025
Rescue from the Arctic.
This was a very interesting read. The places people have gone to only to become stuck, and then the efforts made by others to rescue those left behind. When the place that the people became stuck was the Arctic, the rescuing is all the more difficult. And the cat made it out. Yippee!
This was a very interesting read. The places people have gone to only to become stuck, and then the efforts made by others to rescue those left behind. When the place that the people became stuck was the Arctic, the rescuing is all the more difficult. And the cat made it out. Yippee!
February 1, 2019
Made me feel lucky that radios are standard equipment nowadays. The writing was straightforward, the story intense. It's no wonder there are Bartlett streets up here.
November 1, 2025
awesome read
February 20, 2013
Solid adventure and survival. A good peek at the everyday lives of 1900's north americans and also a unselfconciously condescending account of how we viewed indiginous peoples.
A good read for any interested in survival.
A good read for any interested in survival.
August 2, 2015
I had already read Jennifer Niven's "The Ice Master" and loved it. I really enjoyed reading Captain Bartlett's more objective account from his log book. What an amazing man and amazing story. Truly incredible.
May 23, 2016
Great event but the writing is simple, almost text bookish. 3.5 stars. I'm glad I read it.
July 25, 2016
Reads much like a ship's log in parts. Those were serious humans.
April 20, 2017
I read this in a Kindle version, not audio CD. Maybe I should have tried that, because the e-book was a disaster -- a complete mess of miscoding that was at times illegible. I confess I had to abandon this book partway through. The book itself, though I'd like to try again. I picked it up after seeing an exhibit about the Bartlett and the Karluk at the Peary-Macmillan Arctic Museum at Bowdoin College last summer. The story is riveting and I want to know more, but I'm going to have to track down a used print copy before I try it again.
July 29, 2017
Much like the captain himself, "The Karluk's Last Voyage An Epic of Death and Survival in the Arctic" by Captain Robert A. "Bob" Bartlett (1875-1946) is a straight-shooting, unvarnished account of the loss of the schooner 'Karluk' during the woefully disorganized Canadian Arctic Expedition. Despite his initial misgivings about the vessel, Bartlett captained the 'Karluk' under the leadership of Vilhjalmur Stefansson. After Stefansson and a small crew left the ship on a hunting party, the 'Karluk' drifted with the current, eventually becoming entombed in the ice.
Bartlett's account was written with the assistance of editor Ralph T. Hale and was later proven to contain some inaccuracies. Significantly, he avoided criticizing Stefansson and his leadership skills despite considerable public acrimony between the two men.
Despite these inaccuracies and the underlying political agenda, "The Karluk's Last Voyage" is a perilous tale told by the man who struggled valiantly to save his ship and all onboard her.
Bartlett's account was written with the assistance of editor Ralph T. Hale and was later proven to contain some inaccuracies. Significantly, he avoided criticizing Stefansson and his leadership skills despite considerable public acrimony between the two men.
Despite these inaccuracies and the underlying political agenda, "The Karluk's Last Voyage" is a perilous tale told by the man who struggled valiantly to save his ship and all onboard her.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews