The true Democrat., 1854-11-29
ShipwYeck of the New Era.
ON BOARD STEAMBOAT ACHILI

ON DOARD STEAMBOAT ACHILLES. :
 Near Long Brunei, Nov. 13, F. M.
 D. Il. CRAIG, ESQ: As promised this morn ing by telegraph, 1 proceed to give you what particulars l have witnessed of the dreadful wreck at Long Branch.
 The news of the wreck of the New Era. ashore at Long Branch, reached me about8 O. clock this morning by telegraph, and I imme- dlately conveyed the intelligence to Capt. Rev holds, of the Achilles who was then lying to off the Hook. While waiting an answer from w. R. Jones, as to whether he should proceed at once to the wreck, or go to the city for the wrecklng schooners, message came from Mr.. Morris, at Long Branch, that the ship ashore had 36O passengers on board, and was fast breakingu up Upon this Capt R. decided to go at once to the scene of the wreck, to co-ope- rate with those already on the spot in saving life. We left the Hook at 9 91a, in a dense fog and southerly wind, which raised very heavy head-swell. The fog, however, so increased in density as to render 1t impossible to discern ob- jects further than the vessels length, much less to keep sight of the shore at safe distance. or see objects near it. We however, kept on, un- til we must have been within short distance of where the wreck lay; but as it was impossi- be to see or do anything, Captain R., after wait ing some time, put the vessels head again to the northward When opposite the Highlands, the fog suddenly lighted up, so that the land could be distinctly seen, and we again steered to the southwark in search of the wreck-- About three o'clock we came in sight of her, lying broadside to the beach, heading to the southwark with her fore, main, and mizen top sails close reefed still standing. On reaching her she proved to be level with the water and full, and the swell breaking in heavy surges across her decks
 We had already passed many pieces of the wreck, and half a mile further on we saw the body of little child apparently about four or five years old, and in quick succession also that of a man stripped of clothing, and others with clothes on-four or five bodies in all As we approached the wreck, so as to get a nearer view, most narrowing spectacle met the eyes The jlb-boon, rigging, and top of the ship, fore and aft, were filled with human beings closely packed together, and clinging to each other and to the ropes, while the ship surged to and fro With each returning wave, which broke into spray tar into the rigging and over the ship, drenching and suffocating the passengers, while the poor creatures filled the air with the most soul-harrowlng and ptiful outcries for assis- tance. On the beach were some 200 persons, gathered in groups, apparently consulting as to how to act, while others sat leisurely upon the gunwale of the boats which the heavy surf rendered it certain destruction to launch. We saw several boats upon the shore, apparently well adapted for the purpose, and crowd of persons dragging long life-boat toward the beach, where it was left and no further attempt was made to launch it. We saw no line from the ship to the shore, and no hfe-boat. From .the fact that what appeared the ships boat was lying on the beach, we judged the officers and crew, or most of them must have landed or been thrown ashore in her.