The team of treasure hunters, led by Rick and Marty Lagina, continues to make remarkable progress in their quest to uncover the secrets buried beneath the island’s surface. Recent drilling operations in the Money Pit area have yielded significant findings, potentially confirming long-held theories about underground tunnels and hidden treasure.
Discovery of Shaft Six
Rick Lagina, Dave Blankenship, Charles Barkhouse, and Doug Crowell have been overseeing a new coring operation in the Money Pit region, hoping to confirm the presence of Shaft Six. In 1861, a group of treasure hunters dug this shaft 18 feet west of the original Money Pit to bypass the flooding traps. Their efforts were halted just one foot shy of their target when seawater rushed in, followed by a collapse of wood cribbing, suggesting a debris field of treasure.
Three weeks ago, the team identified wood at 109 feet, indicating they had located Shaft Six. Their latest drill results at 118 feet have provided further confirmation of this long-lost tunnel. If verified, this could bring them closer than ever to the fabled Money Pit.
Astonishing Find: Possible Cannonball or Grapeshot
Meanwhile, at the wash table near Borehole E5.25, surveyor Steve Guptill and treasure hunter Michael John unearthed a round object resembling a cannonball or grapeshot. These projectiles, used in naval warfare as early as the 15th century, could provide further evidence of historical activity on Oak Island.
Archaeologist Dr. Aaron Taylor examined the find, suggesting it could be a genuine piece of old artillery. When presented to Gary Drayton, a seasoned metal-detecting expert, he confirmed that it closely resembled gun stones used before the invention of iron cannonballs. This discovery could lend credence to theories linking Oak Island to early European explorers or military operations.
Breakthrough in the C-1 Cluster
In another critical development, drilling in Borehole CD4.5 revealed a possible wooden tunnel at 75 feet, contradicting historical records that suggest no prior excavation in this area. Alongside the wooden structure, a metal object was retrieved, prompting further analysis.
Rick Lagina and professional conservator Kelly Bourassa subjected the metal object to an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) scan, which shockingly revealed traces of gold. This revelation aligns with previous discoveries of gold and silver in nearby boreholes, reinforcing the belief that valuable artifacts or treasure could be hidden beneath the island.
Honoring Dan Blankenship’s Legacy
As the team celebrates these discoveries, they also took time to honor the late Dan Blankenship, a legendary Oak Island treasure hunter. Dan’s old drilling rig has been transformed into a memorial at Borehole 10X, a site he believed to be his greatest breakthrough.
His son, Dave Blankenship, and daughter, Linda Flowers, joined the Lagina brothers and the Oak Island team in dedicating the monument. “My father would be proud to see how far we’ve come,” said Linda. “We’re all part of the Oak Island family.”
What’s Next?
With evidence of tunnels, gold-infused metal, and centuries-old projectiles, the Oak Island mystery has never been closer to a breakthrough. The team will continue drilling in key locations, focusing on areas where gold has been detected and structures have been identified.
“It’s been a great year,” said Marty Lagina. “We didn’t have Dan’s big breakthrough yet, but we’ve come up with a lot of new information.”
The Oak Island mystery remains one of history’s most tantalizing unsolved puzzles. As the team presses forward, the world watches in anticipation—will this be the year they finally turn the last page?
