SEASON 12, EPISODE 17, “BOOTS ON THE GROUND” EPISODE ANALYSIS

The Curse of Oak Island – The History Channel

In this week’s episode, “BOOTS ON THE GROUND”, the show began as the Oak Island team continued their operation at ALADDIN’S CAVE in the MONEY PIT area. Ken DeBoer, a ROV specialist, was brought to the island so he could send a ROV into Aladdin’s Cave to explore it and view the feature. The team had put flocculant into the cave to improve visibility for the ROV. As it was lowered into the caisson, there was nothing showing on the camera, except for a black screen. It was quickly determined that there was no visibility and the entire operation in ALADDIN’S CAVE should be aborted.

The action then took us to the WAR ROOM, where the Oak Island team assembled to discuss their next plan after their difficulties in ALADDIN’S CAVE. It was agreed that ALADDIN’S CAVE could not be explored due to the visibility issues. It was suggested that the next caisson be put down back in the MONEY PIT area. This time the target was SHAFT 6, which was a 118ft shaft laid down in 1861 by the Oak Island Treasure Company. It was an attempt to reach the original MONEY PIT from below and tunnel over to avoid water. It was stated that two treasure chests were drilled into and the team wanted to see if any remnants had fallen into this area. Please see the Analysis for a detailed history and factual information regarding this shaft. The new caisson will be named RP-1, for Rick Lagina.

We were then taken to the LOT 5 EXCAVATION area, where the Oak Island Archeologists and team were working in a new test pit just outside the round foundation feature. Archeology Assistant, Todd Langseth, discovered what appeared to be a nail but he was unsure and said he had never found anything like that before. It was shown to Archeologist, Helen Sheldon, she suspected it was a nail that perhaps was missing its head. It was tested to see if it was magnetized, and it was confirmed to be iron that was hand forged. It was speculated that it could be from a chest or barrel. The team commented that they’d never seen a piece in such good condition without corrosion. It would be sent to the LAB for testing.

The action then shifted to the NORTH SWAMP area, where the Oak Island team continued their exploration and excavation. While working in this area, it was speculated that the soil in certain areas was redeposited, which the team speculated involved hiding something of great value. It was noticed that there appeared to be more areas of cobble that they felt was abnormal and similar to the STONE ROAD feature but on a different scale. This was hand laid rock and it was speculated that this may have been a primary pathway that may have connected the Western and Eastern drumlins of the island. Upon investigation, a leather boot or shoe was discovered. It was leather and Gary Drayton speculated it was from the 1600’s. There have been other leather boots and shoes found on the island in various locations over time. It will be analyzed to try to ascertain who was working in this particular spot and when they lost their boot.

We were then taken back to the MONEY PIT area where the Oak Island Team continued the installation of Caisson RP-1. It was noted that the caisson had reached a depth of 69-70 feet. In the spoils Gary Drayton detected a metal hit. It was iron and he speculated that it was decorative and from a chest. After closer inspection he thought it was a metal strap. There was also a rivet in the strap which would indicate that it had to be strong to hold heavy load. This was speculated as treasure and may be part of the fabled chests that were drilled though in the original Money Pit. Please see the analysis for more information.

The scene then shifted to the LAB, where the Oak Island team met to discuss the testing results on the piece of iron that was found on Lot 5. Archeometallurgist Emma Culligan tested the iron piece with the CT scanner and XRF scanner. She mentioned that she believes it is a pin. It was very pure and clean and similar to other pieces found in British Colonial America because of the aluminum content. She put the date from the late 1600’s to mid-1700’s which appears to be the most frequent and popular dating range. This launched the often-repeated William Phips theory relating to Oak Island.

The action then took us back to the NORTH SWAMP area, where the Oak Island team continued their work in a new section of land in the swamp. Further investigation revealed that there was axe-cut wood and burned wood in this area. The team seemed baffled by the discovery which they termed, “not natural”. Although it would be quite common in industrial operations, which has been confirmed as happening in this area. Clay mining, for instance, which was happening at the Eye of the Swamp and surrounding vicinity would produce such features, in this author’s opinion.

The episode concluded back at the MONEY PIT area, where the Oak Island team continued the installation of Caisson RP-1. The team had progressed to 47ft. Wood started to be unearthed and it was determined to be axe-cut. Some of the wood was dark and it was asked if this could be from a tunnel. At a depth of 111 ft. more wood was brought up and some pieces appeared to be adze-cut. This excited the team and it was stated that this is confirming the “Treasure Story” involving Oak Island. The plan is to keep going deeper to find the mythical treasure.

ANALYSIS: From the 1897 Oak Island Treasure Company Prospectus regarding the Money Pit and Shaft 6:

“A platform was setup for drilling in The Money Pit at a depth of 30 feet, just above the water level. They (Truro Company) bored 5 holes into the Money Pit…In the second hole, they struck the platform which the previous Onslow Company had found at 98 feet with the crowbar. The drilling auger went through this upper platform, which was made of 5 inches of spruce wood, then a 12-inch gap, 4 inches of oak wood, 22 inches of loose metal and 8 inches of oak wood. This was thought to be the bottom of two “treasure chests” or barrel containers, one stacked on top of the next between two platforms. Then the drill went through 22 inches of loose metal, 4 inches of oak wood, and 6 inches of spruce wood, then into 7 feet of clay without striking anything else. With the third hole, the same platform was struck again at 98 feet. Passing through, the auger fell 18 inches then came into contact with the side of a cask or barrel. On withdrawing the auger, oak splinters such as those from the side of a barrel stave, and coconut fiber were brought up…Three links of metal resembling an ancient gold watch chain were also brought up by the auger...” Water was then encountered. An attempt to dig below the Money Pit and access the area was made.

“SHAFT #6 was sunk on the south side of the "Money Pit," and to a depth of 118 ft... The conditions found in sinking this fourth shaft were precisely the same as in the other shafts. As already stated, this new shaft was 118 feet deep, a greater depth by 8 ft than had previously been reached. A tunnel was driven towards and reached a point directly under a part, at least, of the bottom of the "Money Pit." It was now the dinner hour, and the workmen had left the tunnel. Before they had finished dinner, a great crash was heard in the direction of the works. Rushing back to the pit, they found that the bottom of the "Money Pit" had fallen into the tunnel that they had a short time before vacated and that the new shaft was fast filing with water. Subsequently, it was found that 12 ft of mud had been driven by the force of water from the old to the new shaft. The funds of the company were exhausted, and this company was dissolved in 1851.”

It is the opinion of this author, that it wasn’t treasure chests that were drilled into, but barrels that were left over from a smuggling operation involving Oak Island. The crashing that happened in the Money Pit was either the geological deterioration of the area due to manmade workings, or possibly explosions of pressurized barrels of gunpowder that were being stored underground, surrounded by Coconut Fiber to keep them as dry as possible. The Compendium will present this possibility in the upcoming weeks.

Please follow our weekly episode analyses during the season, along with articles from the original “Compendium/Blockhouse Blog”, and special investigations and features involving Oak Island. Feel free to reach out to us for questions, comments, information and any theories to our email, theoakislandcompendium@gmail.com

Good day from Daniel of the Compendium!