SEASON 12, EPISODE 20, “JUST BEAD IT” EPISODE ANALYSIS

The Curse of Oak Island – The History Channel

In this week’s episode, “JUST BEAD IT”, the show began in the MONEY PIT area where the Oak Island team began their operation of the installation of the RP-3 caisson. This new caisson was located between the RP-2 caisson and the Chappell Shaft. This location was chosen because it was felt that it is where a tunnel is running between the original Money Pit area and Shaft 6 locations. The installation achieved a depth of 67 feet, and it was anticipated that they’d hit the target area the next day.

The action then took us to the NORTH SWAMP area, where the Oak Island team continued their work near the shore of Joudrey’s Cove. Metal detectorist Gary Drayton scanned an area and detected iron. He uncovered what he speculated was a wharf pin that was embedded in a piece of wood. He estimated that it was from the 1700’s due to its weight and striation. It was then speculated that it was associated with the “Dam” that Fred Nolan thought was in this area. A 10 by 12 timber and boulders were also unearthed that supported this idea. Although in this writer’s opinion, it seems consistent with a wharf area where the raw materials were being brought from the Eye of the Swamp to the shore to be put on a ship for the industrial operation that is known to have occurred in this area.

We were then taken to the OAK ISLAND MUSEUM, where the Oak Island team assembled to meet with researcher Judi Rudebusch, who presented information regarding the Knights of Malta possibly visiting Oak Island. The books that have been mentioned previously were shown and appear to have masonic codes in them. They were cited as evidence of a generational conspiracy involving Oak Island. It was explained that when the Knights Templar were disbanded, everything they had went to the Knights Hospitallers, which was another military order of the time. Presumably “everything” included the mythical treasure that the Templars have been attributed as having had. The Hospitallers eventually became the Knights of Malta. Issac de Razilly, a French Knight of Malta was mentioned. He was from the De Valliers family who were grandmasters of the order. Razilly was in La Have, not far from Oak Island. It was intimated that he could have been on Oak Island. The starburst button that was found on Lot 5 was compared with a picture of a button that was labeled, “Knight of Malta Uniform”. It appeared that the buttons were similar and cited as evidence of the knight’s presence on the island. The button seems to be a common design from various periods. Please see the ANALYSIS for more information.

The action shifted to LOT 5, where the Oak Island team continued their excavation of the foundation near the circular feature. The archeologists have been working in what they called, “Test Pit 28”. They revealed that they had found blue bottle glass in this area. The blue bottle glass was not mentioned further but appears to be “Bristol Blue Glass”, that was made in the late 18th Century in Britain. Archeologist Moya MacDonald discovered another bead; this one was broken in half. It was similar to another red bead found in the vicinity. It was mentioned that this area had multiple occupations over time. As previously mentioned by this author, trade beads were a very common barter item between Europeans and the indigenous people in the area. There’s no question that trading was happening on Oak Island.

We were then taken back to the NORTH SWAMP area where the Oak Island Team continued their work near Joudrey’s Cove. More excavation revealed wood that appeared axe cut. It was pinned to a large boulder and it was suggested that the wood be C-14 tested to get an age on the construction. It was speculated that this was further evidence of the “Wall” that Fred Nolan discovered. Surveyor Steve Guptill was brought over to give his opinion of the construction. He thought it looked like a sea wall. It was then speculated that this could have been a dam that was built and it was then compared to the “Dam” on the Map that was presented by Zena Halpern. The map indicated that a dam was located in this general area. The problem with this comparison is that it has been conclusively shown that the map is a modern forgery, and not a reliable piece of evidence in this writer’s opinion.

The episode concluded back at the MONEY PIT area, where the Oak Island team continued their installation of the RP 3 Caisson. A depth of 116 feet was reached with wood being brought up to the surface. The target area of 118 feet was estimated to be the bottom of the tunnel. When reaching this depth, no more wood was brought up with only packed clay and soil at 120 feet. Again, as with RP 1 and RP 2, there was no mythical treasure resting at the bottom. The borehole was deemed closed. It seems clear that the story of drilling through treasure was not accurate. It is this writer’s opinion that the gold flakes that were brought up during past drillings were natural deposits that still reside in the Money Pit area. This would account for the positive testing for gold by Dr. Spooner and Dr. Michel. The team was disappointed with the results but will now dig deeper into the solution channel and continue to seek the fabled treasure.

ANALYSIS: In the Compendium’s investigation, “Was There a Link Between the Knights Templar, Vikings, and Oak Island” one year ago, it was stated that the evidence is clear that there was nothing to suggest such a link. The Compendium did state that there was evidence to suggest there may have been a link between the Knights Hospitaller, later the Knights of Malta, and the Vikings. It appears that the Oak Island team did see our research and is now mentioning these groups now as possible suspects. Although the historical train derails when it is then suggested that the Knights Templar were still involved by giving the Knights Hospitaller/Malta the legendary Temple relics that have been attributed to them since the fictious Holy Blood/Holy Grail and The DaVinci Code were created. Although very entertaining, they are far from historically accurate sources of information.

Another segment from last night’s episode that needs some historical clarification regards Issac de Razilly. Razilly was born in 1587 into a family with ties to the Order of St. John Hospitallers that became the Knights of Malta. It was suggested that Razilly may have been on Oak Island to bury treasures associated with the Knights Templar. Historical records and fact reflect a different story. Razilly was made a Knight of Malta when he was 18. His family was French nobility, and he entered the French Navy at a young age. Most people having this background were Knights of Malta, especially early colonial explorers who were naval officers. He became a very distinguished naval officer along with his brother Claude. The French foreign minister in the 1620’s, Cardinal Richelieu sought his advice on France’s trade and commerce. One of Razilly’s suggestions was to create a large trading company in New France that would support the French colony.

Razilly was then created naval commander for the Compagnie de La Nouvelle-France that supported Acadia. Razilly was responsible for retaking Port Royal after the Treaty of Saint-Germain-en-Laye. Due to the war with Britain, the Compagnie de La Nouvelle-France experienced financial difficulties, and private companies were created to help fund the colonization and promote trade. Razilly, along with his brother Claude formed the Razilly-Condonnier company. Razilly was made lieutenant-general for the king in New France. In 1632, Razilly sailed to Acadia and chose La Hève as the site for a new Fort and center of initial operations due to its superior harbor and geographic location. Razilly would then retake Port Royal and commence re-colonization. Initially the colony set up fishing and cutting timber as industries, but Razilly knew that fur trading would be the one that would provide the most revenue. The new colony flourished but Razilly unexpectedly died in 1635 from what was believed to have been an aneurysm and his brother Claude assumed control of the colony. He made Charles de Menou d’Aulnay, a top lieutenant of Isaac’s his proxy in North America.

Based on all the evidence that has been collected from Oak Island it seems quite clear that the industries of fishing, cutting timber, and fur trading, among others, were going on at certain times in the island’s history. Mahone Bay was a popular hunting ground and trading center for indigenous peoples and the fur pelts and meat were traded for certain items such as beads, linens, and other items valued by the indigenous peoples. This was very common in the 17th and 18th centuries. This is what motivated early explorers and businessmen such as Razilly to colonize Acadia and not the hiding of mythical treasure that is promoted for profit by the entertainment industry.

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!