In 1854, two horrendous shipwrecks took place off the New Jersey coast.
The Powhattan and the New Era were both American-flag sailing packet
ships carrying hopeful European immigrants to new lives in America. The
ships ran aground on the offshore sandbars along the shoreline between
Sandy Hook and Little Egg Inlet, claiming the lives of many passengers
and crew. The staggering casualties finally prompted calls from the
public and politicians for reforms to the system for rescues that the
federal government had in place. The tragedies ultimately resulted in
changes that prevented countless similar deaths. This unique and
gripping account offers minute-by-minute details of the deadly wrecks,
their