THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND – THE HISTORY CHANNEL
In last night’s episode, “A Void at All Costs”, the beginning of the episode discusses the torrential rains that hit the island last summer and the effects it had on search operations. The Lot 5 excavation had a significant amount of water that had to be drained and the area dried out before the archeologists could resume their work. In the meantime, at the Interpretive Center, Blacksmith Carmen Legge paid a visit to give his opinion on a couple of artifacts that were uncovered previously at the Lot 5 excavation site.
THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND – THE HISTORY CHANNEL (BOTH PICS)
The first artifact that Carmen inspected was identified as an Iron Strap. Carmen had some difficulty analyzing the piece, so he asked Emma Culligan to show him a scan of the object. After seeing the scan Carmen said he believed it was a clasp off a chest or trunk. He estimated that it was a small piece approximately 12 x 12 inches in his opinion. Carmen said he believed it was from the 1600-1700’s, which appears to be the date range of most of the artifacts that have been coming from the excavation area.
THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND – THE HISTORY CHANNEL (BOTH PICS)
The second piece that Carmen inspected is what was previously identified as an Iron Fastener. Again, Carmen asks Emma for a picture of the scan so he can better make out the details and give a more accurate assessment. Carmen identifies the piece as a nail and mentions that it was very crude, and the head was not ornamental in any way. He said it was used for a crude purpose and probably for a structure. This would indicate a wooden structure. He dates this nail similarly to the Clasp from the early 1600’s to 1700’s. Emma mentions the chemical composition is similar to the other Phip’s era related artifacts.
THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND – THE HISTORY CHANNEL (BOTH PICS)
The scene shifts to the Lot 5 excavation site, where archeologist Moya MacDonald discovers an artifact that archeologist Helen Sheldon inspects and states that it is a Barrel Strap that consists of copper and iron. Jack Begley mentions that they have found many pieces of barrels including barrel straps, barrel hoops, and pieces of barrels in other parts of the island and then speculation that it may be related to treasure in the Money Pit. Carmen Legge previously estimated that barrel pieces he analyzed could go back as far as the 1400’s to the 1800’s.
THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND – THE HISTORY CHANNEL (BOTH PICS)
Archaeologist Laird Niven visits the other archeologists working at the Lot 5 excavation site and discusses the structure. Archeologist Jamie Kouba mentions that it appears there was a rock wall of a structure that seems to have collapsed or was destroyed at the site in her opinion. Laird states that it is a possibility. It seems that the work is taking the team into another section of the structure. The team is finding nails and door pieces and an outline of a larger structure. It appears to have been some sort of habitation or structure that was abandoned and filled in to hide its existence. Why would anyone want to hide their activity on Oak Island?
NOVA SCOTIA HISTORICAL ANALYSIS
JOSHUA MAUGER - WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
RUM RUNNER PRESS (BOTH PICS)
Compendium Investigations has previously mentioned Joshua Mauger, who we believe had an involvement with Oak Island. The many barrel pieces that have been found in great quantity suggest to the Compendium that a smuggling operation of goods being shipped was being conducted on Oak Island. Why? In British North America, smuggling was rampant. The Black market dealt with West Indian molasses that was needed to distill rum and was a major part of the Triangle Slave trade. This included other commodities including sugar, tea, rum, and other necessities. This allowed the colonies to balance their deficits with the British Empire.
The British wanted American colonists to buy British goods, and not from other counties. Colonists paid duties on these imported goods to discourage this other trade. Smuggling was how colonists ignored these restrictions. Joshua Mauger was the Victualler for the Royal Navy at the Fortress of Louisbourg around 1747 until the French were given back the fort. In 1749, Mauger relocated to Halifax at its founding. Captain Mauger had a fishery and was engaged as a merchant, distiller, slave trader, smuggler, and privateer. He had close ties to Mahone Bay and with many people directly involved with the area. This included Ephraim Cook, John Rous, Thomas Lewis, and particularly Oak Island lot owner, Jonathan Prescott.
GOVERNOR EDWARD CORNWALLIS - WIKIMEDIA COMMONS
THE CURSE OF OAK ISLAND – THE HISTORY CHANNEL
Governor Edward Cornwallis confronted Mauger regarding his suspicious business practices which included trading with the French at Louisbourg after the transfer in occupation. In the fall of 1749, Mauger received “Sundry Merchandise & Stores” from Louisbourg. Mauger manipulated the situation to avoid the trade restrictions imposed by Cornwallis, who was anxious to sever all ties with the French. In 1750, Mauger had permission to land ten hogsheads of wine from Louisbourg, but Cornwallis ordered him to return 22 hogsheads. He charged that Mauger was making Halifax a repository for goods from Louisbourg. In November 1751, Cornwallis ordered the seizure of a ship carrying contraband from Louisbourg and accused Mauger of receiving the goods. His warehouse was searched, and rum was confiscated.
Cornwallis wanted the Board of Trade to replace Mauger as Victualler to the Royal Navy. He was concerned that Nova Scotia would become a rendezvous for smugglers. Mauger had powerful connections and continued his business practices. It is conceivable that through his business network, Mauger was using Oak Island as a link in his smuggling enterprise. In last week’s Drilling Down episode, Doug Crowell mentioned that the team had found a part of an old French Wine bottle at the Lot 5 excavation site. Previously, the team found what was identified as a wine bottle near the stone road feature which archeologist Laird Niven dated to the 1700’s. Could this be related to Mauger’s activity on Oak Island?
Good day from the Compendium!