Rick Lagina: “Something Went TERRIBLY Wrong At The Money Pit”
Rick Lagina: "Something Went TERRIBLY Wrong At The Money Pit"
Rick Lagina just uncovered something truly scary that was unearthed during the recent excavation at the Money Pit. Imagine delving deeply into the island’s mysterious past, only to discover something that calls into question all we thought we knew. Stay tuned as we delve into this terrifying revelation that has sent shockwaves throughout the entire team. You won’t want to miss it!
One bright morning on Oak Island, excitement was in the air as Rick Lagina and Scott Barlow made their way to the notorious Money Pit area. They were there to supervise a new phase in a thrilling adventure—a probe-drilling operation at the base of the so-called Garden Shaft. The hope? To unravel a 229-year-old mystery that has baffled treasure hunters for generations.
Just three weeks earlier, Rick, Scott, and their team had managed to extend the 18th-century Garden Shaft deeper into the earth, reaching an impressive depth of 100 feet. It was there that they stumbled upon what they believed to be a 17th-century wooden tunnel. This discovery was no minor feat; it connected to an area known as the Baby Blob, an intriguing site where water testing had revealed significant traces of gold and silver buried between 80 and 120 feet below ground.
But not everything was as it seemed. The team was taken aback to find that parts of this ancient tunnel were missing—its walls and ceiling had vanished. The question loomed large: Had someone intentionally dismantled the tunnel to collapse it and hide something of immense value? With the Garden Shaft now dug to 106 feet, representatives from Dumas Contracting Limited were gearing up for several days of meticulous probe-drilling. Their mission was to explore the remaining sections of the tunnel in hopes of locating the elusive treasure.
Marty Lagina, ever the skeptic and thinker, pondered the missing parts of the tunnel. Was this sabotage meant to protect a secret? The drilling process was not just a matter of boring into the earth; it was a delicate search for answers. The team aimed to extract samples every ten feet, maintaining rigorous records of distances and elevations. These samples would be critical, sent to labs for carbon dating and further analysis.
As the operation commenced, an unexpected challenge arose. Water began to flood the shaft, gushing from the newly drilled holes around the 97-foot mark—precisely where they suspected the tunnel was located. The situation escalated quickly, with the influx of water hinting that they might have struck one of the legendary flood tunnels, infamous for thwarting treasure seekers for over two centuries. Despite this setback, spirits remained high. The presence of metals detected in the water and the tangible evidence unearthed so far only bolstered the team’s resolve. They were on the cusp of a breakthrough, or so it seemed.
The discovery mirrored the experiences of those who had come before them, adding a chilling sense of déjà vu to their quest. Rick, ever the optimist, rallied his team. “We’ve encountered a bump in the road, but that won’t stop us,” he declared. The plan was simple yet daunting: pump out the water and continue the drilling. The team was equipped with the right tools and the right attitude; they were determined to get to the bottom of this mystery.
Rick, Marty, Craig, and their team stood at the edge of the Garden Shaft, looking down into the murky depths below. They were reminded of the many who had tried and failed to unlock the secrets of Oak Island. Yet, unlike those before them, they were armed with new technologies, historical clues, and a relentless spirit.
Rick Lagina experienced a thrilling moment when a significant section of a mysterious tunnel, believed to be a treasure tunnel, was discovered beneath the Garden Shed at a depth of about 100 feet. As Rick descended the ladder, he was visibly excited by the sight of large, impressive wooden beams, each uniquely shaped, reinforcing the reality of the tunnel’s existence. This discovery wasn’t just another step in their exploration; it was concrete evidence that contradicted any doubts about the tunnel’s reality. The beams’ varied shapes and sizes, from rounded to thin, suggested they served different structural purposes, potentially as upright pieces.
The excitement was further fueled by carbon dating results from earlier wood samples, which traced the tunnel’s origins back to the 17th century. The team’s immediate goal was to extract some of these beams for additional testing. They hoped that further analysis could provide more precise insights into the tunnel’s construction timeline. This endeavor was particularly critical because if the timbers represented original construction work, they might lead directly to long-hidden treasures.
Gary, another team member, joined the excavation. Equipped with a metal detector and a vibrant sense of adventure, Gary was determined to uncover any artifacts that could provide cultural and historical context to the site. His efforts soon paid off when the detector signaled the presence of metal, an artifact with a peculiar shape that seemed unrelated to modern utility items, hinting at its historical significance.
Amidst the technical and archaeological work, the team also focused on precise measurements and documentation. They aimed to place survey control points along the tunnel for accurate drafting and projection of the structure. This detailed mapping was essential not just for understanding the tunnel’s layout but also for planning further excavations and ensuring the team’s safety.
The discovery of a timber cut with an adze—a tool used from ancient times until the 18th century when mechanized tools took over—was a highlight of the day. This finding was particularly symbolic, connecting the team directly to the craftsmen who originally built the tunnel, possibly with the intent of concealing treasure. Such a connection to historical craftsmanship added a tangible sense of history and excitement to the project.
The day ended on a high note, with the team feeling closer than ever to solving the mystery of the tunnel. They discussed their next steps, including horizontal drilling to explore deeper parts of the tunnel and possibly uncover the source of the precious metals detected nearby. This proactive planning, combined with the day’s successful findings, provided a strong sense of momentum and optimism for the team.
Rick and his team left the site that day with renewed enthusiasm and a deep appreciation for the historical significance of their discovery. They knew that each piece of timber, each artifact, brought them closer not just to potential treasure but also to piece together a historical puzzle centuries in the making.
Billy, Rick Lagina, Gary Drayton, and Billy Gerhardt are back at the swamp’s southern edge, part of a mysterious triangle-shaped area where they’ve previously found intriguing artifacts. Their hope? To uncover more clues that could shed light on the area’s history. They are particularly interested in finding additional pieces similar to what they’ve already discovered—remnants of old ships.
In recent years, the team unearthed numerous ship-related items dated between the 15th and 18th centuries in this swamp. Their most startling find, however, came in 2020 when they discovered a piece of ship’s railing carbon-dated to as early as the 8th century, hinting at a much older story waiting to be uncovered. Dr. Doug Symons has a theory that could connect these findings to medieval Viking explorers, further deepening the mystery of Oak Island. This theory has spurred the team to dig deeper in hopes of confirming a historical connection.
While searching, Gary remarks that something smells like treasure, capturing the essence of their hopeful anticipation. Rick spots a piece of wood with a hole—possibly from a ship. The wood’s shape suggests it could be a runner from a boat, a component designed to protect the boat’s underside near the shore. Billy offers his insight, likening the find to boat keel runners, which might have broken off if the boat hit rocks. This idea resonates with the team as they consider the swamp’s history and its potential secrets.
Their exploration takes a new turn when they encounter what appears to be a wooden wall or dam. This finding is significant because more than 30 years ago, Fred Nolan, a treasure hunter and previous Oak Island landowner, discovered a similar structure. He believed it was part of a dam built centuries ago to conceal something valuable. This discovery aligns with the mysterious 1,250-year-old ship’s railing found nearby, suggesting a continuous historical narrative involving the swamp.
Rick feels they are close to something significant and decides to bring in geoscientist Dr. Ian Spooner for further analysis. Dr. Spooner is particularly interested in the sediment around the new find, believing it could help date the wooden structure and possibly tie it to the nearby stone road, another ancient feature believed to be about 500 years old. This road could have been part of a larger infrastructure used for loading and unloading goods, hinting at extensive activity in this part of the swamp.
As the day winds down, the team reflects on their findings, hopeful that further excavation will reveal more about the swamp’s historical significance and its potential connections to past activities. They plan to continue digging and exploring, driven by the mystery and the promise of uncovering hidden histories on Oak Island.
In the northern part of the swamp, Marty Lagina, geoscientist Dr. Ian Spooner, and their team investigate a significant find. As they begin their exploration, Marty expresses curiosity about what they are up to. The team, including Steve, stands on a boulder that marks a disturbance, possibly connected to Nolan’s Cross—a theory suggested by researcher John Edwards. Edwards believes this site, near the mysterious boulders of Nolan’s Cross, might hold a treasure linked to the Knights Templar.
Billy Gerhardt, another team member, has uncovered a massive boulder above what appears to be a man-made stone formation. This discovery prompts the team to question if the boulder was intentionally moved. Dr. Spooner decides to roll the boulder to examine what lies beneath, eager to determine if the feature is natural or man-made. As the investigation deepens, Marty reflects on the significance of Nolan’s Cross, pondering the interconnected theories that various researchers, like Edwards, have brought to their attention. If the cross is genuinely a constructed feature, it could indicate
