A major breakthrough may be unfolding in the legendary Oak Island swamp as the Fellowship team, joined by landowner Tom Nolan and metal detection expert Gary Drayton, uncover what could be a man-made dam—and possibly, a second treasure vault.
In the island’s northernmost swamp sector, Rick Lagina teamed up with Tom Nolan and Drayton, where they identified what appears to be a massive sea wall or dam structure made of boulders. This structure, believed to be artificial, sits in the same area where Tom’s late father, Fred Nolan, had reported discovering evidence of a wooden wall in the 1960s—thought to have played a role in creating the swamp itself to hide treasure.
What’s more compelling is that this stone feature corresponds to a location marked as “The Dam” on a mysterious 14th-century map given to the team by late researcher Zena Halpern. She theorized that the map was drawn by the Knights Templar during their effort to hide religious relics on the island.
Adding fuel to the speculation, Drayton recovered a metal object resembling a ramrod guide—a component of musket weaponry used as far back as the 1500s. The find hints at military or colonial-era activity and raises the question: who left it behind, and why?
“It’s a socket. I think it’s weapon or gun-related,” said Rick Lagina at the scene. Drayton was equally optimistic: “I’m predicting it’s a great find.”
But the day’s discoveries didn’t stop there.
Tom Nolan unearthed an aged brick, worn and resembling those previously found atop a mysterious vault-like structure made of slate and handmade bricks, discovered earlier in the year. That structure was empty—but now the team wonders if a second vault might be buried near the newly found dam.
“My dad thought there could be multiple treasure burial sites on the island,” said Tom. “Maybe this is one.”
Later, using the OKM Gepard GPR 3D ground-penetrating radar, Rick, Tom, and Peter Fornetti—Rick’s nephew—detected a subsurface feature about four feet down, measuring approximately 14 feet long, which matches Fred Nolan’s decades-old description of a hidden wall.
“Okay, gents, here it is,” Rick remarked, stunned at the near-perfect correlation. “It’s almost like we were told exactly where to look.”
The team now plans to consult archaeologist Moya to confirm the scan results. If the structure is indeed wooden, as suspected, it may provide the physical evidence needed to confirm Fred Nolan’s long-held theories about a concealed swamp-based treasure system.
“We can’t just walk away now,” said Rick. “But for today, we’re done. Tomorrow, the hunt continues.”
As always on Oak Island, every new clue raises more questions—but the pieces are slowly falling into place. Could this be the beginning of the biggest breakthrough in the island’s history?
Stay tuned.
