On 11 January 1914, the Karluk, the flagship of the Canadian Arctic Expedition, sank after being crushed by ice in the Arctic Ocean. The vessel, a former whaling ship, had been repurposed for the ambitious expedition led by Vilhjalmur Stefansson, which aimed to explore uncharted regions of the Arctic and conduct scientific research.
The Karluk became trapped in the ice in August 1913, only a few weeks into the expedition, off the northern coast of Alaska. As the ice floes drifted, the ship was carried westward, eventually succumbing to the crushing pressure of the pack ice. The sinking marked the beginning of a harrowing ordeal for the crew and scientists aboard.
After the ship sank, the group was stranded on the ice and faced extreme hardships, including freezing temperatures, scarce food supplies, and treacherous conditions. Captain Robert Bartlett, the ship’s leader, demonstrated remarkable courage and leadership. He set out on an arduous 700-mile journey with an Inuit guide to seek help. His efforts eventually led to the rescue of the surviving crew members in September 1914.
The tragedy of the Karluk remains a sobering chapter in the history of Arctic exploration, highlighting both the dangers of polar expeditions and the resilience of those who endure them.
