Oak Island — In what could mark one of the most significant discoveries in the long history of Oak Island exploration, Rick Lagina and his team believe they have located the western edge of Shaft Six, a tunnel dug by treasure hunters in 1861.
The find was made during a new coring operation in the Money Pit area. At a depth of 118 feet, drillers recovered vertical wooden timbers, consistent with the remains of Shaft Six.
“This is the saving grace of the hole,” said Rick Lagina, visibly energized by the breakthrough. “We’re in a tunnel, and I’m very excited to exploit this find.”
The discovery suggests that by continuing to drill eastward, the team may be able to follow the shaft directly to the original Money Pit — possibly uncovering a massive debris field of collapsed treasure vault material rumored to lie beneath.
Cannonball or Gunstone? Curious Artifact Recovered
While surveying spoils from borehole E-5.25, surveyor Steve Guptill and treasure hunter Michael John uncovered a small, dense object believed to be grapeshot or a cannonball fragment.
The artifact was soon confirmed by metal-detecting expert Gary Drayton, who identified it instead as a “gunstone”, an early form of projectile fired from a blunderbuss centuries before the age of iron cannonballs.
“This is really, really old,” Drayton said. “It’s a projectile, mate. Before iron shot, they used stones like this. It could have been fired from a ship centuries ago.”
The discovery raises questions about possible naval connections to the Oak Island mystery — and could lend weight to theories that early explorers, even pilgrims, played a role in the island’s secret history.
Tunnel and Metal Found in C-1 Cluster
In yet another promising lead, drillers working on borehole CD4.5 in the C-1 cluster hit wooden timbers at 75 feet, followed by a mysterious metal fragment encrusted with minerals.
Conservator Kelly Bourassa analyzed the find with an XRF spectrometer, confirming iron — and, to the shock of the team, traces of gold.
“This is another mystery,” said Rick Lagina. “Certainly not from the rig.”
The result echoes earlier discoveries in nearby borehole D2, where a tunnel dating as far back as 1488 yielded a gold-bearing metal fragment. Together, the finds could point toward the long-rumored treasure vault.
Honoring a Legend: Dan Blankenship Memorial Unveiled
The day’s discoveries were capped by an emotional ceremony at borehole 10X, where the team gathered to honor the late Dan Blankenship, a man who devoted over 50 years of his life to solving the Oak Island enigma.
Dan’s old drilling rig has been set permanently at the site, alongside a commemorative plaque, ensuring future visitors remember the man whose footsteps inspired a new generation of treasure hunters.
“Dan is a big part of all our lives,” said Marty Lagina. “I think he would feel like we are all family — the Oak Island family. It’s a happy day to see this plaque and know he’ll be remembered.”
Closer Than Ever
With evidence of tunnels, artifacts from centuries past, and now multiple gold-bearing fragments, the Oak Island team believes they are closer than ever to uncovering the island’s most enduring secret.
“There’s a wonderful story being written here,” Rick Lagina reflected. “I’ve always wanted to turn the last page on Oak Island. We’re not there yet — but we’re just beginning.”
