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.
