SEASON 14 PREMIERE, EPISODE 1, “SILVER LINING PLAYBOOK” ANALYSIS
In the Season Premiere of The Curse of Oak Island, the team identified a potential slipway at the shore of where Lot 4 and Lot 5 meet as an area that they wanted to investigate this season. Metal detectorist Gary Drayton began scanning an area a few feet before the shoreline due to the limits of the permit that was obtained. Gary found what was identified as Creamware that Archeologist Laird Niven dated to approximately 1750, which was the time period that the area was first being explored by the British after found Halifax in 1749. After more scanning, Gary found what appeared to be a hand forged, wrought iron cribbing spike. Gary believed this spike was used to create a wooden structure like a dock or walkway from the slipway. Moments later Gary found what appeared to be a square shank fastener that was also made of iron. Gary believed this also was used to create this dock/walkway.
The finds were taken to the Lab where Archeometallurgist Emma Culligan performed XRF and related tests. She said the pieces had a history of extended use and were very worn. This would indicate to this author they may have been repurposed over time. The tests indicated that the iron was pretty clean but had some impurities which indicated an early refining period that used bloomery, the earliest form of smelting. This was before blast furnaces and was made in a kiln. She stated this would put the creation in the time period of the 1650’s to the 1750’s. She also mentioned that the closest match in her database of these metals was from the William Phips collection from his farm in Maine. This suggested to the team that perhaps this was evidence of Willaim Phips burying treasure on Oak Island. This was again mentioned later in the War Room when Dr. Spooner revealed that samples of mortar and soil that were analyzed revealed a high amount of silver, the highest recorded in his readings on the island. A wood sample found in the same depression was dated from 1694-1723. The team suggested that perhaps Phips buried silver in the location under the boulder on Lot 8 for safekeeping.
HISTORICAL ANALYSIS
We turn to the pages of history to get further information about this time period and the movements of Sir William Phips. Phips discovered the wreckage of the Nuestra Señora de la Concepción in 1686. The next year Phips returned to the site to attempt to salvage the rest of the treasure, but the spot had been discovered and looted leaving no further treasure accessible according to multiple sources. Phips took home about 4 million American Dollars in today’s money from the initial operation. He was celebrated as a hero and knighted by King James. Phips was made Provost Marshall General, leaving him in charge of military and law enforcement in New England. The French during this time were sending raids into New England coastal areas and attacking British ships resulting in havoc for the colony.
Phips was chosen to lead a military campaign as Major General and attacked the French Acadian capital of Port Royal in 1690. This was in response to the French raids attacking New England. After sacking the Fort, Phips returned to Boston. It is unknown if he ever was on Oak Island, but the Knight of the Garter medal owned by his treasure benefactor, Christopher Monck, was found in New Ross in the 1970’s. It has been suggested that Phips was in possession of the medal and dropped it at New Ross. It should be noted that members of the Monk family immigrated to Nova Scotia and it is theoretically possible they were responsible for the medal being lost at New Ross.
Phips was celebrated as a hero, and a larger expedition on the French capital of Quebec was planned. This operation suffered many logistical, weather, and health problems that led to the British defeat. Phips was undaunted and wanted another expedition to finish the job, but it was declined. A financial crisis resulted and paper money was issued by the colony to cover costs, that Phips backed with silver currency of his own. This saved the colony and he was made the first royal appointed Governor of the Province of Massachusetts Bay in 1691. From 1693-1694 Phips was being accused of improper activity by his enemies and he was recalled to England to face charges. Phips arrived in London in 1695 but became ill and died shortly after without there ever being a trial.
As mentioned, French privateers were capturing English vessels and taking their cargo. Some of this cargo returned to Port Royal and Louisbourg where it aided the French Acadian Government. Although many privateers had secret locations where they hid and worked out of along the south shore of Nova Scotia. It appears that Oak Island, in secluded Mahone Bay, was possibly one of these secret locations. Based on evidence found on the island, it appears Lot 5 was being used as a place to go through captured booty, conduct illicit trade, and other related activities for the privateer's own profit. This is why the location was never recorded and listed in official records in this author’s opinion. Many of the trade goods and materials found on the island point to this possibility. This author also believes that later in the mid 1750’s the newly arriving British discovered how Oak Island was used in the past and continued to use it in a well-organized and secretive smuggling operation. This continued when the island was surveyed and lots made in the 1760’s, with many lot owners participating, aiding, and covering up the activities.
Look for weekly articles from this author regarding major discoveries and interesting information that is covered in Season 14 of “The Curse of Oak Island”. If you have a question or have a theory regarding the Oak Island Mystery you’d like to share, please send us an email at theoakislandcompendium@gmail.com
Good day from Daniel of the Compendium
