Long-distance craft sank at the front, taking sailors with it (8)
I believe the answer is:
starship
'long-distance craft sank' is the definition.
I know nothing about this answer so I can't judge whether it can be defined by this definition.
'at the front taking sailors with it' is the wordplay.
'at' is a charade indicator (letters next to each other).
'the front taking sailors' becomes 'stars' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should give a lot more credence to this answer).
'with it' becomes 'hip' (I've seen this before).
'stars' next to 'hip' is 'STARSHIP'.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for starship that I've seen before include "Intergalactic traveller" , "Eg, the USS Enterprise" , "Enterprise on show" , "one in SF movie?" , "The Enterprise, commanded by Captain Jean-Luc Picard, was one" .)