Trapped in Ice: The Karluk Shipwreck Arctic Survival Story | E 164

In this episode of The Crux True Survival Story Podcast, hosts Kaycee McIntosh and Julie Henningsen explore the ill-fated voyage of the Karluk during the 1913 Canadian Arctic Expedition. They discuss the questionable leadership of expedition organizer Vilhjalmur Stefansson, the concerns about the ship's seaworthiness, and the harrowing events that followed when the vessel became trapped in ice. The episode covers the dramatic sinking of the ship, the incredible 80-mile journey across shifting ice to Wrangel Island, and Captain Bartlett's heroic 700-mile trek to secure rescue. Through captivating storytelling and analysis, this episode highlights how leadership decisions, preparation, and resilience determined the fate of the expedition members in one of the most remarkable Arctic survival stories of the early 20th century.

00:00 Welcome to the Crux True Survival Story Podcast

02:24 The Karluk: A Questionable Vessel for Arctic Exploration

06:28 Trapped in Ice and Stefansson's Departure

09:49 Christmas Celebrations Despite Dire Circumstances

11:17 Dramatic Final Moments with Chopin's Funeral March

13:32 The Treacherous March to Wrangel Island

15:41 Bartlett's Epic Journey for Rescue

18:24 The Rescue After Eight Months

20:45 Stefansson's Continued Career and Lack of Remorse

22:49 The Ada Blackjack Story and Stefansson's Legacy

23:55 Podcast Conclusion and Listener Engagement

References

1. Bartlett, R. A., & Hale, R. T. (1916). The Last Voyage of the Karluk: Flagship of Vilhjalmur Stefansson's Canadian Arctic Expedition, 1913-16. Cooper Square Press.
2. McKinlay, W. L. (1976). The Last Voyage of the Karluk: A Survivor's Memoir of Arctic Disaster. St. Martin's Press.
3. "Last voyage of the Karluk." (2025, February 3). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Last_voyage_of_the_Karluk
4. "Karluk (1884 ship)." (2025, March 12). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMCS_Karluk
5. "Robert Bartlett (explorer)." (2025, April 12). Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bartlett_(explorer)
6. Bartlett, R. A. (2001). The Karluk's Last Voyage: An Epic of Death and Survival in the Arctic. Cooper Square Press.
7. "The Karluk Disaster." Heritage Newfoundland & Labrador. https://www.heritage.nf.ca/articles/exploration/karluk-disaster.php
8. "The Karluk Disaster – The Wrangel Island Saga." Dartmouth College. https://journeys.dartmouth.edu/thewrangelislandsaga/the-karluk-disaster-2/
9. "Robert Abram Bartlett." The Canadian Encyclopedia. https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/robert-abram-bartlett
10. "Wrangel Island." Arctic Portal. https://arcticportal.org/education/quick-facts/the-arctic/3711-wrangel-island
11. "Defying the Ice: Shipwreck and Rescue of the Karluk." Bowdoin College. https://www.bowdoin.edu/news/2016/07/defying-the-ice-shipwreck-and-rescue-of-the-karluk-at-arctic-museum.html
12. "Transcribing Historical Documents – Captain Robert Bartlett's Journal from the Karluk." Bowdoin College.