HMCS Karluk

Karluk, leaving harbour during her career as a whaler
History
Canada
NameKarluk
BuilderMatthew Turner's shipyard, Benicia, California
Launched1884
Acquired(by Canadian government) 1913
Out of service1912
FateCrushed by pack ice in the Arctic Ocean, January 1914
NotesUS registry New York (1913 prior to Canadian service), San Francisco
General characteristics
TypeBrigantine
Tonnage
Length125.6 ft (38.3 m)
Beam27 ft (8.2 m)
Draught16.5 ft (5.0 m)
Depth14.2 ft (4.3 m)
Decks2
Ice classsheathed
Installed power175 ihp (130 kW)
PropulsionCoal fired steam and sail
Sail planbrigantine
Speed10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph)
NotesCanadian Registration

Karluk was an American-built brigantine which, after many years' service as a whaler, was acquired by the Canadian government in 1913 to act as flagship to the Canadian Arctic Expedition. While on her way to the expedition's rendezvous at Herschel Island, Karluk became trapped in the Arctic pack ice and, after drifting for several months, was crushed and sank in January 1914. Of the 25 aboard (crew and expedition staff), eleven died, either during the attempts to reach land by marching over the ice, or after arrival at the temporary refuge of Wrangel Island.