Bartlett, Robert Abram (1875-1946), an Arctic explorer, was famous for his skill in piloting ships through ice. He commanded the Roosevelt for the explorer Robert E. Peary from 1905 to 1909, taking part in polar expeditions led by Peary (see Peary, Robert E. ). Bartlett led an expedition in 1913 on which the ship Karluk was crushed by ice near Wrangel Island in the Arctic Ocean. He walked across the ice to Siberia and returned with rescuers for his companions.
Bartlett explored Alaska for air base sites in 1925. He served the U.S. government from 1942 to 1945. He made 20 Arctic voyages on his schooner Morrissey.
Bartlett was born on Aug. 15, 1875, at Brigus, Newfoundland. In 1911, he became a U.S. citizen. He died on April 28, 1946.
