Nova Scotia — A translated 18th-century ship log discovered in 2017 by researcher Doug Kroll may shed new light on the enduring mystery of Oak Island. The journal, originally belonging to a French vessel under the command of Admiral Duke Danville (referred to in the log as Duke Deive), details the burial of treasure in a remote bay southwest of Shuo Bay, now known as Halifax Harbor.
According to the document, on September 8, 1746, a pit was dug to conceal a vast treasure, which was later reinforced after seawater seeped in. Notably, on September 10, Duke Don Fev arrived in Nova Scotia to reclaim the Fortress of Louisbourg—but one treasure-laden ship went missing, leading to speculation that it may have deposited its valuable cargo on Oak Island.
TEMPLAR CONNECTION DEEPENS
Further intrigue surrounds potential ties between Duke Danville and the medieval order of the Knights Templar. Scholars believe the Templars, famous for their engineering prowess and role in the Crusades, may have used Oak Island as a treasure vault centuries before the French. Theories abound that tunnels, booby traps, and water systems discovered on the island were Templar-built.
In 2016, Oak Island theorist Zena Halper presented the Lagina brothers—stars of The Curse of Oak Island—with three controversial documents. Among them: a cipher, a map of Oak Island dated 1347, and a 12th-century map of Nova Scotia. These findings revived interest in Templar lore and suggested links to the Ros or Roshal family, whose crest was marked on the ancient map.
ROYSTON CAVE: A HIDDEN CONNECTION?
Seeking further proof, Marty Lagina, his son Alex, and historian Charles Barkhouse traveled to Royston Cave in England in 2022. There, they discovered bricks engraved with the year 1347—fueling the idea that the cave once stored Templar relics before they were transported across the Atlantic to Oak Island.
CRAIG TESTER’S ABSENCE RAISES QUESTIONS
Fans of The Curse of Oak Island have also noticed the absence of longtime cast member and engineer Craig Tester in recent episodes. Once a co-star and key figure in the exploration efforts, Tester has been instrumental in applying advanced engineering techniques to the Oak Island dig.
Tester’s departure is reportedly tied to personal and family struggles. His wife has also been affected, though few public details have emerged. While his absence leaves a noticeable gap, the legacy of his contributions—from seismic testing to borehole mapping—remains vital.
A STORY OF FRIENDSHIP, LOSS, AND ENTERPRISE
Craig Tester, a college roommate of Marty Lagina, first bonded with him over a mutual passion for treasure hunting. Though Tester originally pursued wrestling, he and Lagina later struck gold in the oil business, founding Terra Energy—later sold for over $3 billion.
Their shared ventures continued with the creation of Heritage Sustainable Energy, now Michigan’s leading wind turbine firm, and Oak Island Tours, Inc., which owns a portion of the island. Today, Tester’s estimated net worth exceeds $5 million.
THEORIES ABOUND: FROM TEMPLARS TO THE AZTECS
Theories surrounding Oak Island continue to multiply. Some researchers suggest Aztec clay deposits may exist near the original Money Pit. Others claim a platform unearthed by 18th-century diggers matches Masonic descriptions of the Royal Arch of Enoch—possibly a replica of Solomon’s Temple.
Fans have even proposed that Shakespeare’s lost First Folios may be hidden beneath the island’s soil, adding literary mystery to the mix.
THE LEGACY CONTINUES
Despite setbacks, the search for Oak Island’s treasure endures. Rick and Marty Lagina remain at the helm, joined by a dedicated team including Jack Begley, Charles Barkhouse, and Peter Fornetti.
With each stone unearthed, each map decoded, and each theory explored, the island reveals just enough to keep the dream alive. Whether the Knights Templar, French admirals, or lost empires once walked its shores, one truth remains: Oak Island still has secrets to tell.
