Virginia Argus

MELANCHOLY SHIPWRECK.

Loss of the private armed schr. Surprise, capt. Barstow from this port for Baltimore, communicated by an officer.

The Surprise, containing the crew of the United States sloop of war Erie, sailed from New York on the morning of the 3d inst. for Baltimore; and at half after 6 o'clock the same day, she struck on Barnegat Shoals. We immediately commenced throwing every thing overboard to lighten her, and run anchors out astern with the hopes of getting her off; but all our exertions proved ineffectual. At half after 12 o'clock, we cut away her masts. It was at this time we discovered she had bilged, and was full of water fore and aft, the sea increasing, and the wind blowing fresh from the S. E. making at times a fair breach over her. We then thought it most advisable to land as many of the crew as possible from our two small boats; but on attempting to approach the land, the surf ran so high that it was impossible to land them. At 3 o'clock we lost sight of the wreck, and at day break fell in with the Virginia-Ann, from Fredericksburg, who took us on board and brought us into port. We had previously endeavored to get a pilot boat to go in search of the wreck, but the pilots affirmed that it was impossible to reach her to night. It was then thought by all the officers, that it was best to return to New York with the men who had been saved, and consult with Commodore Decatur as to the proper measures to be adopted.

The names of the officers saved from the wreck are as follows:-- Colonel Brook of the U. States army; lieutenants Rousseau, Skinner, Kennon, Bell and Lattimer; midshipmen Boarman, Sanderson and Mosher, and 23 seamen. Captain Barstow and lady were also saved, and arrived safe in New York.

The officers left on board were sailing master Godfrey, master's mates King and Jackson, midshipmen Stewart, Rutter, Stallings, Ray and Tilden; Mr. Marshal, gunner; Davis, Boatswain; Wells, carpenter; and Ockerman, sail-maker, and 107 men.

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