In this week’s episode, “CAISSONS HO”, the show began with preparations for the exploration in the MONEY PIT area with the installation of 7 FT caissons that will go to the depth of at least 200 FT to try to locate the fabled Chappell Vault. The focus then shifted to the NORTH SWAMP area where the Oak Island team continued their excavation and search at this location. While continuing searching, it was noticed that there appeared to be no nails or metal in the wood being found. In investigating the area further, a piece of shaped wood was discovered, and the team was perplexed by what it was. It will be analyzed to see if its purpose can be identified.
The action shifted to LOT 5, where the Oak Island team continued their investigation of the foundation near the Circular structure (Brick Kiln). Archeologist Fiona Steele uncovered what appeared to be a small hinge off what she speculated could have been a small door. It was quickly suggested it may be a treasure chest hinge. Archeology Assistant, Todd Langseth, located what initially appeared to be a diamond. It was speculated it may have been from a ring or necklace and part of the fabled Oak Island Treasure. Upon further inspection, it was suggested that it may be glass. The piece was bagged and tagged and sent to the Lab for further analysis.
We were then taken to the new WASH PLANT AREA, located near both Smith’s Cove and Money Pit area, where the Oak Island Team had a new wash plant machine set up. It was explained that the new machine is much like the old one but more modern and will help speed up the process of searching through the spoils that are extracted from the caissons. It was explained that they will have the ability to go through a larger amount of spoils from multiple caissons at one time. The team feels this will help their search for the fabled Chappell Vault.
We were then taken to the LAB, where the Oak Island team met with Blacksmith, Carmen Legge to discuss the iron spike that was found on Lot 1 under a rock. Upon inspection, Carmen indicated that the piece appeared to be very old and appeared to be a pin. He said that it was made by hand and probably wasn’t older than 1760. He said it was probably used as an anchor to pull something up or maybe to maneuver a boulder. Emma then gave her XRF analysis, and she stated that the iron had some manganese, but wasn’t clean enough to suggest it was very old. She stated that based on its chemical attributes, she would estimate the piece was from the mid to late 1700’s. Carmen disagreed with her assessment and stated he thought it was from the early to mid-1700’s. He went on to suggest the 1720’s to 1740’s, which then launched the speculation that it was related to the mythical Duc d’Anville treasure on Oak Island.
The action then took us to the MONEY PIT area, where the entire Oak Island Team congregated for a ceremony to officially begin their exploratory program to locate the mythical Chappell Vault. The first caisson was named True Believer and a sentimental soliloquy by Rick Lagina was made. He also suggested that metal detectorist, Katya Drayton, begin the operation by pressing the button to start the process of installing the True Believer caisson.
We were then taken back to the LAB, where the Oak Island team met to discuss the jewel found at the Lot 5 excavation area. Emma completed an XRF analysis and stated that the piece was glass with high lead content and was not modern. She put the date from the early to mid-1700’s. It was identified as a French artificially simulated gemstone. This technique was introduced in France in 1734. It was stated that either men or women wore this type of stone and probably by someone who had wealth. This was then speculated to be related to the mythical Duc d’Anville treasure on Oak Island.
We were then taken back to the NORTH SWAMP area, where the Oak Island team continued their search. As they worked, they discovered rocks piled on top of each other. It was speculated that this could be part of the cobbled path that was previously discovered. Dr. Ian Spooner was brought in to get his opinion of the feature and see if he thought it was manmade or glacially deposited. Dr. Spooner said that the rocks appeared to be stacked by man and were similar in construction to the STONE ROAD feature that was found near the Swamp. The area will continue to be explored for more evidence.
The episode concluded at the MONEY PIT AND WASH PLANT areas where the Oak Island team began their operation. The True Believer Caisson was put down to a depth of 87 FT and wood was being excavated. It was noticed that some of the wood was hand hewn, axe or adze cut, which would support it being older. Whole logs were brought up and what appeared to be support beams. This aligns with the fact that many tunnels are in the immediate area underground. At the WASH PLANT, Derek Couch from ROC found what appeared to be a heavy nail on the conveyor belt. Back at the MONEY PIT area, metal detectorist Katya Drayton, while working on the new spoils, discovered a wrought iron heavy spike. Both the spike and nail were bagged and tagged and sent to the Lab for further testing.
ANALYSIS: During the episode, the theory of the Duc d’Anville burying treasure on Oak Island was cited several times due to various artifacts that were found. This theory centers on the date of 1746. While theoretically possible, there has been no real evidence to support this theory. The only substantial evidence that has been cited by the Oak Island Team is the alleged French ship’s log that was brought forth in Season 5, Episode 10, “Signs of the Cross”. There are several problems with this log. The most important is the fact that it was written in English and not French. It is a supposed translation of the original, but where’s the original? This document was part of the R.V. Harris collection at the Nova Scotia Archives. It is known that R.V. Harris made numerous mistakes in his reporting on Oak Island, and it is this writer’s opinion that he falsified information in concert with William Blair, his friend, client and fellow Freemason, to perpetuate the Oak Island Mystery. Details on this will be forthcoming in a complete investigative report, “The Mystery of Reginald Vanderbilt Harris” by Compendium Investigations coming soon.
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
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Good day from the Compendium!