Growing up, I always heard about "The Day" when my grandfather Louis (''Hike'') Verity Jr.(a descendent of Samuel verity to be added in the heritage section of this site soon) launched his last, and most properly the last, Verity Skiff. She was the rare 24' Skiff. When my dad, John L. (''Hike'') Verity, would speak of it, he would look proud. He told stories of storms and how the skiffs were such seaworthy skiffs
As a kid, I really wanted a Verity Skiff. As a young adult, I started looking for my Grandpa's last Skiff. I always had my eye on a 1964 24' "Seaford Channel Raider" but the bunks were wrong, the windshield was oversized, and everything set in the year 1964 was way off base.
Sadly, my grandfather died in 1962. Everything else about her was exactly as I learned, except for the afore mentioned changes. The below photo is from a Motor Boating advertisement 1962. This boat went up for sale the year he died. More detailed information on the Finding Her page.
Welcome to Verity Skiff .org. This site is rooted in information about Long Island Verity Skiffs, Verity heritage, and my journey in searching for my grandfather’s final skiff. The information within is based on research, to the extent that many sea tales my dad told had to be rewritten. Many photos and articles are protected by educational copyrights by the holding institute.
I am well aware of the Grover Skiff. Al Grover is a great man. My Focus is on the Verity Wood Skiffs.
I may add a section on the Grover Skiff in the future.
The Long Island, NY Verity clan is a family of well-known baymen, Verity Skiff boat and Sailing/gunning skiffs builders, and decoy carvers. Most were churchgoers and involved with the community. I have been called a workaholic all the time; I now know it's not odd; it is a family trait. Some made their mark with business endeavors. Others worked the bays and ocean and as boat builders. The latter is challenging work, but working that close to God’s wonder can never be beaten.
Verity
* the state or quality of being true; accordance with fact or reality.
*something that is true, as a principle, belief, idea, or statement.
Below is a Verity Skiff I found on Woodcliff Canal. There is a group of three photos of this scene. Two of them described the boat as part of the Viking Fleet where my grandfather worked from time to time. Using the process of elimination that is a Louis (Hike) Verity Skiff.
The Frist Verity's I found dated back to May 10 1910. Charles H. Verity built the sailing Verity Skiff.
Charles H. Verity, born Jerusalem, 20 February 1835, died 19 April 1903 a bayman, of Freeport (St. John's Place). Married, May 1859, Jerusalem, Lucinda Baldwin, born 25 August 1841, died January (or February) 1903
Henderson, R. (1982). Nautical Quarterly, Sumer 1982(Number 18), 106.
For over four decades, I would search the boating forums, old boat listing sites, and marinas looking at boneyard boats, hoping to find a Verity Skiff. The few things I had to go on was the skiff was made just before my grandfather's death. That was confirmed by many sources other than my family. It was a 24-footer, with helm steering on the port (left) side, dual front port holes forward. I had a time frame; the rest was just research.
There was a "Seaford Channel Raider" which I always had my eyes on. That boat was being posted on boat forums. However, It was being marketed as a "Jersey Skiff". The "Seaford Channel Raider" had a name plate saying "WILLIAMS MARINA".
Thank you, Grandpa. She is now home where she belongs. The meticulous restoration is being prepared. These efforts are not just restoring a family skiff, the main focus is preparing her for possible transfer to a museum. Such a dream, often is a team effort. My loving wife, Beth Ann is my biggest supporter. Luckily for me she is a sea lover.
Using the process of elimination below is a Louis (hike) Verity Skiff.
Freeport Historic Photographs, Freeport Historical Society, Freeport Historic Photographs, Freeport Historical Society & Museum, 2009-07-30. “Viking Boats”
https://cdm16694.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15281coll12/id/3960/rec/531
Freeport Historic Photographs, Freeport Historical Society, Freeport Historic Photographs, Freeport Historical Society & Museum, 2009-07-30. “Men on boat”
https://nyheritage.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/p15281coll12/id/3959/rec/94
Larry below did all the brass work for Sam and most Verity's. Some of his work is on my Skiff.
"I don't think," Larry mused, "that Sam ever used a level or square on a boat. None of them did-and both sides always came out even. Hell," he added, "I don't think any of them could have worked to plans. They didn't have to!" One might wonder whether Sam ever used a ruler, for he always brought measurements to the machine works marked on a stick. One mark for shaft length, another for the rudder post, and so on. Quaint? Perhaps-but hardly prone to error.
Henderson, R. (1982). Nautical Quarterly, Sumer 1982(Number 18), 112
There were many boat options available during the Verity Skiff era.
However, it was best said in Nautical Quarterly a Verity is not a boat; it is an insurance policy.
A nice opening statement about Sam and the Verity Builders.
The following is from Henderson, R. (1982): Nautical Quarterly, Sumer 1982(Number 18), 106.
It was a fine day for school: white water all across the inlet. Brazen soldiers marching in cadence to the beach, rising in salute, visors frothy \white and streaked with green as they paraded across the bars. "You, wouldn't dare go out in it," Dolph still recalls with awe. "But Sam took the tiller, slowed her to 600 turns and out we went as easy as could be. He just kept a little power on, watched his timing, and eased her out-then turned right in the white water and eased her back inside!" (For those unfamiliar with Jones Inlet, it's more than a fair run between bay and good water when soldiers march.)
"Don't try to drive her through an inlet," Sam admonished. "Let her alone and she'll come through by herself." Then he eased her back outside again, aimed the bow north and added turns to the purring Pierce Arrow. They slid into a broach, Sam holding her half a plank short of disaster to the last moment, when he pulled her out. "That's what you did wrong," he scolded. "My boats will go through that inlet better than some damned fools can bring them through!"
Henderson, R. (1982). Nautical Quarterly, Sumer 1982(Number 18), 107.
This photo is of first time we saw Grandpa's in October 2023
Once I had time to explore her at home, I found.
