Stretch Da Truth
Bronze Member
- Jan 13, 2017
- 1,038
- 1,097
- Detector(s) used
- XP Déus & a Carrot!
- Primary Interest:
- Metal Detecting
Oak Island the Strange, the Bizarre, and Maybe the "Truth!
- Thread starter Robot
- Start date
Al D
Bronze Member
I think its missing something
Carl-NC
Bronze Member
- Mar 19, 2003
- 1,891
- 1,413
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- Custom Designs and Prototypes
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
Not a question of listening. At 1643 posts in this thread alone, there is no way I can remember what everyone has said, and there is no way I'm gonna re-read the whole durn thing.
If you don't consider there to be any worthwhile physical evidence, then I have no idea what evidence you're interested in debating.
xaos
Bronze Member
- Jul 3, 2018
- 1,062
- 2,302
- Primary Interest:
- All Treasure Hunting
1641
October 31
Spanish galleon Mestra Señora de la pura y Limpia Concepción strikes a coral reef off the Bahamas, breaking up, dumping its huge load of treasure. (Some of this treasure may have been buried on Oak Island.) [5.15,163] [450.24]
1650
(sometime in 1600s) An old man dying says he was a crew member of Captain William Kidd, had assisted in burying an enormous treasure on a secluded island east of Boston. This legend is widely spread, with searches conducted over 100 years. [4.2]
1665
July
Sir Robert Moray of England gives a lecture on the use of charcoal-fired furnace with 28-30 foot high chimney to draw fresh air down a mining shaft. (Charcoal is later found 30 feet down in the Money Pit, possibly used in a furnace to draw down fresh air to workers, making this the likely earliest date of building the Money Pit.) [5.29,148]
1683
September 5
William Phips of Boston sails from England in the Rose of Algeree, having won the King's approval and funds to seek the wreck of the Concepción, or any other treasure of any wreck among the Bahama Islands. [5.163]
1685
William Phips returns to England with little treasure, amounting to 470 pounds sterling. [5.164]
1686
September 12
William Phips commands two more ships, James and Mary, and sloop Henry London, under private backers, again searching for the wreck of Concepción. [5.164]
1687
January 20
Ships under the command of William Phips locate the wreck of the Concepción, off the Bahama Islands. [5.164]
February
(to April) Ships of William Phips bring up a fortune in treasure from the Concepción, mainly in silver. [5.167]
June 6
William Phips arrives anchored off England, with treasure valued at 205,536 pounds, from a voyage that cost 3200 pounds. [5.167]
June 28
William Phips is knighted by King James II of England for his service to the crown in locating the wreck of Spanish galleon Concepción. He is appointed provost-marshal of New England, but his request for the return of the charter of the colonies is denied. (This may have turned Phips' loyalty against the King in his treatment of future treasure finds.) [5.15,168]
September 3
A flotilla of English ships (James, Mary, Henry London, Foresight, Princess, Good Luck, and Boy Huzzar) under William Phips set out for more treasure from the wreck of the Concepción. [5.169]
1688
May 8
William Phips hauls up anchor from the Concepción wreck site, to head to Boston to take up his position as provost-marshal of New England. Charles Mordaunt and his ships also leave the wreck site, perhaps to escort Phips and his valuable cargo. [5.171,179]
July 16
William Phips leaves Boston for England. [5.184]
August 2
The returning expedition from the wreck of Concepción reports finding little treasure. (But treasure may possibly have been recovered, buried on Oak Island for recovery after revolution in England.) [5.15,171]
August
(to January 1689) Sir William Phips and crew of Good Luck possibly construct the "Money Pit" on Oak Island to store treasure recovered from the Spanish galleon Concepción. [5.16]
August 17
William Phips arrives at Downs, England. (The month-long voyage may have included a stop at Oak Island to drop off a shipload of treasure and crew to construct the Money Pit.) [5.184]
November 5
William, Prince of Orange, invades England, forcing King James II to flee. [5.15,172]
1689
February 14
(to April 29) Charles Mordaunt is greatly rewarded by the new King of England, being appointed privy councillor in London, first lord of the treasury, Earl of Monmouth, and lord lieutenant of Northamptonshire. (His rewards may be for his connection to recovery of treasure from the Concepción, undeclared and hidden on Oak Island.) [5.177]
May 29
William Phips returns to Boston, and sets out on frigate Six Friends to patrol the New England coast, possibly to recover the Oak Island treasure for England's new King. [5.173,184]
(month unknown)
A group from England returns to Oak Island to recover the treasure, but is unable to. [5.16]
1752
July 2
British government sends a company of Cornish miners from the Army from Falmouth, Cornwall to Annapolis Royal (government of Nova Scotia) to work for pay on an unspecified project. Among them is a famous British military tunnelling engineer. (The purpose may be to construct the Flood Tunnel. Two of the officers recommence their military careers in 1754.) [5.16]
(month unknown)
(fall to 1754 summer) Engineers from England likely build the Flood Tunnel from the ocean to the Money Pit, to keep others from recovering the lost treasure. [5.16,145]
1759
October 18
The Shoreham Grant of 11.5 x 15.5 miles (100,000 acres) west of Halifax, including Oak Island, is a land transfer signed by Charles Lawrence, Esquire, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of Nova Scotia. The grant is made to about 76 immigrants from New England. Seven handwritten pages, including a phrase excluding "Mines of Gold and Silver, Precious Stones and Lapis Lazuli in and upon the said Shares or Rights.". (The unusual inclusion of jewels not generally native to the area indicates a reference to excluding treasure and that the government may have known of it, and had been unsuccessful in recovering it.) [4.7] [5.11] [7.3]
1762
Oak Island is surveyed and subdivided into 32 lots of 4 acres each. [3.20]
August 12
The Spanish garrison at Havana surrenders to British ships. Many clues and pieces of evidence suggest some two million British pounds worth of gold and silver were transported to and buried on Oak Island, for later transport to England, after King George III gained greater power. [4.204]
1768
March 8
Edward Smith acquires Lot 19, next to the lot containing the Money Pit. (though likely not known at this time). [4.7]
1790
Daniel Vaughan sells Oak Island lots 13 and 14 to Nathaniel Melvin. [7.7]
1795
June
Daniel McInnis, age 13, discovers on Oak Island a clearing in the forest, with many old oak stumps surrounding a huge single oak tree with sawed-off limb and tackle block hung from it, about 16 feet off the ground. Below limb is noticeable bowl-shaped depression 13 feet in diameter suggesting something was buried long ago and the ground settled. (This account is based on newspaper letters and articles from 1861-64.) [1.190] [4.2] [5.19] [7.8]
(next day after discovery) Daniel McInnis returns to the site with friends John Smith (age 19) and Anthony Vaughan (age 16). They find remains of a road from the oak tree to the western end of the island. The three teenagers begin digging in the ground in the depression. At two feet down, a layer of flat stones is encountered. (Probably from Gold River, 2 miles away.) Digging below, they notice the sides of the 7-foot diameter shaft are hard clay, showing pick marks. At ten feet down, a platform of rotting oak logs is encountered, with ends embedded in the clay walls. Below the platform is a gap of two feet from soil settling. Another platform is encountered at twenty feet, with loose fill in between each platform. At 25 feet after several weeks digging, they quit work, refill the hole, and seek outside help. [1.190] [4.3] [5.21] [7.8]
June 26
After discovery of the pit area, John Smith buys Lot 18, the site of the pit, and builds a house. (He later buys lots 15, 16, 17, 19, and 20. He lives on the island until his death in 1857.) [1.190] [3.20] [4.5] [7.7,8]
1803
The three original diggers interest Simeon Lynds of Truro, related to Vaughan's father. Lynds forms the Onslow Company, appointing Colonel Robert Archibald director of operations. Investors include Sheriff Thomas Harris of Pictou and Captain David Archibald. [5.20] [7.12] (1802 [4.12] [5.20]) (1804 [1.191] [7.12])
1804
(Summer) The Onslow Syndicate begins excavations on the Pit. They find notches in the sides every ten feet down, where oak platforms were originally embedded. At 30 feet, charcoal is encountered, likely used in a ventilation furnace. At 40 feet, a lot of putty is encountered, likely used for sealing an air vent or to plug water leaks. At 50 feet, beach stones are encountered, likely used for backfilling the flood tunnel. At 60 feet, much coconut fibre is found, perhaps used for rope, or caulking with putty.
At the 90 foot level, a large stone slab weighing 175-500 pounds measuring 24-36 inches by 12-16 inches is found, possibly with an encoded inscription facing down. Also at 90 feet, water is slowly seeping through the clay. At the 93 foot level, the ground is probed with an iron bar. At 98 feet, it strikes a another wood platform, the first not at 10 foot spacing. The extent of the wood is bounded by the sides of the pit. Digging is halted for the day. (A university professor later supposedly deciphers the rock message as "forty feet below two million pounds lie buried". The stone disappears in the 1930s.)
[1.31,191] [5.32] [7.15] (1803 [4.13])
Returning a day or two later after digging to 93 feet, water has filled to a height of 60 feet (33 feet below surface). Bailing night and day is ineffective. Colonel Archibald temporarily halts work. [1.191] [4.16] [5.36] [7.15]
(Autumn) The Onslow Company pays Mr. Mosher 80 pounds to run a water pump. Water is pumped from the pit down to 90 feet, then the pump bursts. Work is stopped for the year. [4.16] [7.15]
1805
(Summer) Onslow Company workers dig a new shaft 14 feet south-east of the main shaft, down to 110 feet, then start on a horizonal tunnel toward the main pit. After 12 feet, water floods in, raising water level to 65 feet in both pits. With funds exhausted, the company abandons the treasure hunt. [1.191] [4.18] [5.37] [7.15]
1810
(year unknown) John Smith puts the engraved stone in his house as part of the fireplace. [4.20]
1845
A new company is formed, the Truro Company, including Anthony Vaughan, Dr. David Barnes Lynds, John Gammell, Adams Tupper, and Robert Creelman. Manager is Jotham McCully and foreman is James Pitblado. [5.39] [7.22] (formed in 1849 [4.25])
December 14
Death of Samuel Ball, former of 36 acres of Oak Island, at age 81. The property passes to his servant Isaac Butler, who changes his name to Isaac Ball. [7.6]
1849
Anthony Vaughan tells the facts of Oak Island as he knows them to Robert Creelman. [7.7]
The Truro Company begins operations, clearing out the main pit. Over two weeks they get down to 86 feet. Next day water has filled about 60 feet; bailing is useless. [4.26] [5.39] [7.23]
Drilling down the main pit, a platform is encountered at 96-98 feet, 5-6 inches thick of spruce, then a 12 inch gap, then 4 inches of oak, 20-22 inches in pieces of metal, 8 inches of oak, 20-22 inches loose metal, 4 inches oak, 6 inches spruce, finally 7 feet of clay. The drill auger comes up with three pieces of copper wire resembling links of watch chain. Another drill past 98 feet drops 18 inches then hits a platform at 104 feet. From the gap is recovered oak splinters and birch hoop or coconut husk, perhaps the side of a cask. From the fifth drilling, foreman James Pitblado washed and examined something which he put in his pocket, not showing it to others. He leaves the island immediately. [1.191] [4.26] [5.40] [7.23]
August 1
James Pitblado and Charles Archibald apply to the Province of Nova Scotia for a license to dig for treasure on the island. They receive it, but only for "ungranted and unoccupied lands". They try to purchase the lot containing the Money Pit, without success. [3.37] [4.29]
1850
(Summer) Truro Company workers dig another shaft (No. 3) down to 109 feet, then dig horizontally to the Money Pit. Water breaks through again, filling 45 feet in 20 minutes. Bailing done with two pumping gins powered by two horses, night and day for a week, only partially effective. Workers notice for the first time that the water is salty, and the level rises and falls with the tide. This indicates there is a channel from the sea to the pit. [1.92] [4.29] [5.43] [7.26]
While excavating the Smith's Cove beach area, they find that the beach was artificially created. They find 6-7 inch deep matting of coconut fiber and eel grass over a 145 foot wide area from low to high water mark, covering 4-5 feet of beach rocks free of sand and gravel. [1.193] [4.31] [5.44] [7.29]
A cofferdam of rock and clay is built at Smith's Cove to hold back the seawater while excavating the beach area. During construction, they notice remains of an old dam. When the area is drained, they dig just inside the dam, finding that the clay was removed and replaced by beach stones.
Under the rocks are five 8-inch wide drains of flat stones over pairs of parallel lines of stones converging to a single larger drain at the high tide line, leading inland. As the drains are excavated, they are found to slope down toward the shore. Halfway to the shore, a high tide overflows the dam and destroys it. [1.193] [4.31] [5.44] [7.29]
At 140 feet inland of the drain converging point, workers dug down to 75 feet, but do not find the water channel. [1.194] [4.32] (50 feet from shore [5.45]) (140 feet from main pit [7.30])
A new shaft (No. 5) is dug 12 feet south of the 75 foot shaft (No. 4), and salt water is hit at 35 feet under a large boulder. Timbers are driven down to try to block the channel. But pumping of the Money Pit is still useless. [1.194] [4.32] [5.45] [7.31]
At 20 feet south of the Money Pit, workers dig another shaft (5A) down to 112-118 feet, then dig horizontally to the Money Pit, making a tunnel 4 feet high. At 18 feet toward the Pit, the cribbing and tools in the main pit collapse, and water breaks through into the new tunnel. The sole worker underground in the new shaft grabs the end of a painted yellow keg (or wooden dish) among water and timbers from the Money Pit. [1.194] [4.32] [5.49] [7.31]
1851
The Truro Company tries to raise additional fund, but is unsuccessful, and the company closes down. [4.32] [7.31]
1853
John Smith conveys his Oak Island property to sons Joseph and Thomas. [4.47]
1854
The Truro Company folds. [7.33]
1857
Joseph and Thomas convey the Oak Island property to Henry Stevens. [4.47]
September 29
John Smith, island resident, dies. He had lived on the island for 71 years. Henry Stevens conveys his property to Anthony Graves, now largest land owner of Oak Island. [4.7] [5.43] [7.7]
1859
The Truro Syndicate re-groups, resumes excavating with steam-operated pumps. But the pumping fails, with too much water remaining in the main Pit. [5.50]
Chronology of the Oak Island Treasure Hunt
October 31
Spanish galleon Mestra Señora de la pura y Limpia Concepción strikes a coral reef off the Bahamas, breaking up, dumping its huge load of treasure. (Some of this treasure may have been buried on Oak Island.) [5.15,163] [450.24]
1650
(sometime in 1600s) An old man dying says he was a crew member of Captain William Kidd, had assisted in burying an enormous treasure on a secluded island east of Boston. This legend is widely spread, with searches conducted over 100 years. [4.2]
1665
July
Sir Robert Moray of England gives a lecture on the use of charcoal-fired furnace with 28-30 foot high chimney to draw fresh air down a mining shaft. (Charcoal is later found 30 feet down in the Money Pit, possibly used in a furnace to draw down fresh air to workers, making this the likely earliest date of building the Money Pit.) [5.29,148]
1683
September 5
William Phips of Boston sails from England in the Rose of Algeree, having won the King's approval and funds to seek the wreck of the Concepción, or any other treasure of any wreck among the Bahama Islands. [5.163]
1685
William Phips returns to England with little treasure, amounting to 470 pounds sterling. [5.164]
1686
September 12
William Phips commands two more ships, James and Mary, and sloop Henry London, under private backers, again searching for the wreck of Concepción. [5.164]
1687
January 20
Ships under the command of William Phips locate the wreck of the Concepción, off the Bahama Islands. [5.164]
February
(to April) Ships of William Phips bring up a fortune in treasure from the Concepción, mainly in silver. [5.167]
June 6
William Phips arrives anchored off England, with treasure valued at 205,536 pounds, from a voyage that cost 3200 pounds. [5.167]
June 28
William Phips is knighted by King James II of England for his service to the crown in locating the wreck of Spanish galleon Concepción. He is appointed provost-marshal of New England, but his request for the return of the charter of the colonies is denied. (This may have turned Phips' loyalty against the King in his treatment of future treasure finds.) [5.15,168]
September 3
A flotilla of English ships (James, Mary, Henry London, Foresight, Princess, Good Luck, and Boy Huzzar) under William Phips set out for more treasure from the wreck of the Concepción. [5.169]
1688
May 8
William Phips hauls up anchor from the Concepción wreck site, to head to Boston to take up his position as provost-marshal of New England. Charles Mordaunt and his ships also leave the wreck site, perhaps to escort Phips and his valuable cargo. [5.171,179]
July 16
William Phips leaves Boston for England. [5.184]
August 2
The returning expedition from the wreck of Concepción reports finding little treasure. (But treasure may possibly have been recovered, buried on Oak Island for recovery after revolution in England.) [5.15,171]
August
(to January 1689) Sir William Phips and crew of Good Luck possibly construct the "Money Pit" on Oak Island to store treasure recovered from the Spanish galleon Concepción. [5.16]
August 17
William Phips arrives at Downs, England. (The month-long voyage may have included a stop at Oak Island to drop off a shipload of treasure and crew to construct the Money Pit.) [5.184]
November 5
William, Prince of Orange, invades England, forcing King James II to flee. [5.15,172]
1689
February 14
(to April 29) Charles Mordaunt is greatly rewarded by the new King of England, being appointed privy councillor in London, first lord of the treasury, Earl of Monmouth, and lord lieutenant of Northamptonshire. (His rewards may be for his connection to recovery of treasure from the Concepción, undeclared and hidden on Oak Island.) [5.177]
May 29
William Phips returns to Boston, and sets out on frigate Six Friends to patrol the New England coast, possibly to recover the Oak Island treasure for England's new King. [5.173,184]
(month unknown)
A group from England returns to Oak Island to recover the treasure, but is unable to. [5.16]
1752
July 2
British government sends a company of Cornish miners from the Army from Falmouth, Cornwall to Annapolis Royal (government of Nova Scotia) to work for pay on an unspecified project. Among them is a famous British military tunnelling engineer. (The purpose may be to construct the Flood Tunnel. Two of the officers recommence their military careers in 1754.) [5.16]
(month unknown)
(fall to 1754 summer) Engineers from England likely build the Flood Tunnel from the ocean to the Money Pit, to keep others from recovering the lost treasure. [5.16,145]
1759
October 18
The Shoreham Grant of 11.5 x 15.5 miles (100,000 acres) west of Halifax, including Oak Island, is a land transfer signed by Charles Lawrence, Esquire, Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief of Nova Scotia. The grant is made to about 76 immigrants from New England. Seven handwritten pages, including a phrase excluding "Mines of Gold and Silver, Precious Stones and Lapis Lazuli in and upon the said Shares or Rights.". (The unusual inclusion of jewels not generally native to the area indicates a reference to excluding treasure and that the government may have known of it, and had been unsuccessful in recovering it.) [4.7] [5.11] [7.3]
1762
Oak Island is surveyed and subdivided into 32 lots of 4 acres each. [3.20]
August 12
The Spanish garrison at Havana surrenders to British ships. Many clues and pieces of evidence suggest some two million British pounds worth of gold and silver were transported to and buried on Oak Island, for later transport to England, after King George III gained greater power. [4.204]
1768
March 8
Edward Smith acquires Lot 19, next to the lot containing the Money Pit. (though likely not known at this time). [4.7]
1790
Daniel Vaughan sells Oak Island lots 13 and 14 to Nathaniel Melvin. [7.7]
1795
June
Daniel McInnis, age 13, discovers on Oak Island a clearing in the forest, with many old oak stumps surrounding a huge single oak tree with sawed-off limb and tackle block hung from it, about 16 feet off the ground. Below limb is noticeable bowl-shaped depression 13 feet in diameter suggesting something was buried long ago and the ground settled. (This account is based on newspaper letters and articles from 1861-64.) [1.190] [4.2] [5.19] [7.8]
(next day after discovery) Daniel McInnis returns to the site with friends John Smith (age 19) and Anthony Vaughan (age 16). They find remains of a road from the oak tree to the western end of the island. The three teenagers begin digging in the ground in the depression. At two feet down, a layer of flat stones is encountered. (Probably from Gold River, 2 miles away.) Digging below, they notice the sides of the 7-foot diameter shaft are hard clay, showing pick marks. At ten feet down, a platform of rotting oak logs is encountered, with ends embedded in the clay walls. Below the platform is a gap of two feet from soil settling. Another platform is encountered at twenty feet, with loose fill in between each platform. At 25 feet after several weeks digging, they quit work, refill the hole, and seek outside help. [1.190] [4.3] [5.21] [7.8]
June 26
After discovery of the pit area, John Smith buys Lot 18, the site of the pit, and builds a house. (He later buys lots 15, 16, 17, 19, and 20. He lives on the island until his death in 1857.) [1.190] [3.20] [4.5] [7.7,8]
1803
The three original diggers interest Simeon Lynds of Truro, related to Vaughan's father. Lynds forms the Onslow Company, appointing Colonel Robert Archibald director of operations. Investors include Sheriff Thomas Harris of Pictou and Captain David Archibald. [5.20] [7.12] (1802 [4.12] [5.20]) (1804 [1.191] [7.12])
1804
(Summer) The Onslow Syndicate begins excavations on the Pit. They find notches in the sides every ten feet down, where oak platforms were originally embedded. At 30 feet, charcoal is encountered, likely used in a ventilation furnace. At 40 feet, a lot of putty is encountered, likely used for sealing an air vent or to plug water leaks. At 50 feet, beach stones are encountered, likely used for backfilling the flood tunnel. At 60 feet, much coconut fibre is found, perhaps used for rope, or caulking with putty.
At the 90 foot level, a large stone slab weighing 175-500 pounds measuring 24-36 inches by 12-16 inches is found, possibly with an encoded inscription facing down. Also at 90 feet, water is slowly seeping through the clay. At the 93 foot level, the ground is probed with an iron bar. At 98 feet, it strikes a another wood platform, the first not at 10 foot spacing. The extent of the wood is bounded by the sides of the pit. Digging is halted for the day. (A university professor later supposedly deciphers the rock message as "forty feet below two million pounds lie buried". The stone disappears in the 1930s.)
[1.31,191] [5.32] [7.15] (1803 [4.13])Returning a day or two later after digging to 93 feet, water has filled to a height of 60 feet (33 feet below surface). Bailing night and day is ineffective. Colonel Archibald temporarily halts work. [1.191] [4.16] [5.36] [7.15]
(Autumn) The Onslow Company pays Mr. Mosher 80 pounds to run a water pump. Water is pumped from the pit down to 90 feet, then the pump bursts. Work is stopped for the year. [4.16] [7.15]
1805
(Summer) Onslow Company workers dig a new shaft 14 feet south-east of the main shaft, down to 110 feet, then start on a horizonal tunnel toward the main pit. After 12 feet, water floods in, raising water level to 65 feet in both pits. With funds exhausted, the company abandons the treasure hunt. [1.191] [4.18] [5.37] [7.15]
1810
(year unknown) John Smith puts the engraved stone in his house as part of the fireplace. [4.20]
1845
A new company is formed, the Truro Company, including Anthony Vaughan, Dr. David Barnes Lynds, John Gammell, Adams Tupper, and Robert Creelman. Manager is Jotham McCully and foreman is James Pitblado. [5.39] [7.22] (formed in 1849 [4.25])
December 14
Death of Samuel Ball, former of 36 acres of Oak Island, at age 81. The property passes to his servant Isaac Butler, who changes his name to Isaac Ball. [7.6]
1849
Anthony Vaughan tells the facts of Oak Island as he knows them to Robert Creelman. [7.7]
The Truro Company begins operations, clearing out the main pit. Over two weeks they get down to 86 feet. Next day water has filled about 60 feet; bailing is useless. [4.26] [5.39] [7.23]
Drilling down the main pit, a platform is encountered at 96-98 feet, 5-6 inches thick of spruce, then a 12 inch gap, then 4 inches of oak, 20-22 inches in pieces of metal, 8 inches of oak, 20-22 inches loose metal, 4 inches oak, 6 inches spruce, finally 7 feet of clay. The drill auger comes up with three pieces of copper wire resembling links of watch chain. Another drill past 98 feet drops 18 inches then hits a platform at 104 feet. From the gap is recovered oak splinters and birch hoop or coconut husk, perhaps the side of a cask. From the fifth drilling, foreman James Pitblado washed and examined something which he put in his pocket, not showing it to others. He leaves the island immediately. [1.191] [4.26] [5.40] [7.23]
August 1
James Pitblado and Charles Archibald apply to the Province of Nova Scotia for a license to dig for treasure on the island. They receive it, but only for "ungranted and unoccupied lands". They try to purchase the lot containing the Money Pit, without success. [3.37] [4.29]
1850
(Summer) Truro Company workers dig another shaft (No. 3) down to 109 feet, then dig horizontally to the Money Pit. Water breaks through again, filling 45 feet in 20 minutes. Bailing done with two pumping gins powered by two horses, night and day for a week, only partially effective. Workers notice for the first time that the water is salty, and the level rises and falls with the tide. This indicates there is a channel from the sea to the pit. [1.92] [4.29] [5.43] [7.26]
While excavating the Smith's Cove beach area, they find that the beach was artificially created. They find 6-7 inch deep matting of coconut fiber and eel grass over a 145 foot wide area from low to high water mark, covering 4-5 feet of beach rocks free of sand and gravel. [1.193] [4.31] [5.44] [7.29]
A cofferdam of rock and clay is built at Smith's Cove to hold back the seawater while excavating the beach area. During construction, they notice remains of an old dam. When the area is drained, they dig just inside the dam, finding that the clay was removed and replaced by beach stones.
Under the rocks are five 8-inch wide drains of flat stones over pairs of parallel lines of stones converging to a single larger drain at the high tide line, leading inland. As the drains are excavated, they are found to slope down toward the shore. Halfway to the shore, a high tide overflows the dam and destroys it. [1.193] [4.31] [5.44] [7.29]
At 140 feet inland of the drain converging point, workers dug down to 75 feet, but do not find the water channel. [1.194] [4.32] (50 feet from shore [5.45]) (140 feet from main pit [7.30])
A new shaft (No. 5) is dug 12 feet south of the 75 foot shaft (No. 4), and salt water is hit at 35 feet under a large boulder. Timbers are driven down to try to block the channel. But pumping of the Money Pit is still useless. [1.194] [4.32] [5.45] [7.31]
At 20 feet south of the Money Pit, workers dig another shaft (5A) down to 112-118 feet, then dig horizontally to the Money Pit, making a tunnel 4 feet high. At 18 feet toward the Pit, the cribbing and tools in the main pit collapse, and water breaks through into the new tunnel. The sole worker underground in the new shaft grabs the end of a painted yellow keg (or wooden dish) among water and timbers from the Money Pit. [1.194] [4.32] [5.49] [7.31]
1851
The Truro Company tries to raise additional fund, but is unsuccessful, and the company closes down. [4.32] [7.31]
1853
John Smith conveys his Oak Island property to sons Joseph and Thomas. [4.47]
1854
The Truro Company folds. [7.33]
1857
Joseph and Thomas convey the Oak Island property to Henry Stevens. [4.47]
September 29
John Smith, island resident, dies. He had lived on the island for 71 years. Henry Stevens conveys his property to Anthony Graves, now largest land owner of Oak Island. [4.7] [5.43] [7.7]
1859
The Truro Syndicate re-groups, resumes excavating with steam-operated pumps. But the pumping fails, with too much water remaining in the main Pit. [5.50]
Chronology of the Oak Island Treasure Hunt
Last edited:
Tom_in_CA
Gold Member
- Mar 23, 2007
- 13,804
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xaos : With a long bibliography like that, it can only mean one thing : TREASURE ! (just a little more to the right or left, or a little deeper).
NONE of those items can be innocuous, mundane, or apply to anywhere else, or mean anything less than "treasure on Oak Island". Where's my shovel ?? I'm on my way ! Poor Carl. He's going to miss out.
NONE of those items can be innocuous, mundane, or apply to anywhere else, or mean anything less than "treasure on Oak Island". Where's my shovel ?? I'm on my way ! Poor Carl. He's going to miss out.
Charlie P. (NY)
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Tom_in_CA
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Xaos' timeline/bibliography sort of reminds me of a local legend in my part of CA :
In the 1930s, they were building the Hwy. 1 route . Down the coast, along remote jagged cliffs and mountains, south of Big Sur, going towards San Simeon. A worker suffered and accident and died. After the last respects were paid, his co-workers lowered his body into a cave near the spot. As it turns out, that cave was a burial cave for native American Indians of pre-history times, in this remote stretch.
Fast forward to the 1950s: Someone exploring the caves down that way (curiosity seeker from exploring the nearby Los Burros mining district) lowered himself via ropes, into this cave . Saw all the bones of Native americans. But ..... lo & behold, one skeleton had western/white-man garb on! News trickled out back in Monterey. Somehow, someway, this got morphed into "European" garb . Which then got morphed into "spanish" or "suit of armor", blah blah blah. Telephone game in full swing ! Even a newspaper clipping about the cave, bones, and the peculiar one with tattered garb fragments evident.
Fast forward to the 1970s: A local author, who liked to weave history with local lore and legend, happen-chanced onto the 1950s newspaper citation of the find. He wove it into a cool story of speculations about treasures that this could indicate. And to do so, he could draw in a bibliography that could rival what xaos posted here. Eg.: details of how a route from San Antonio mission, to connect to the coast. And various tidbits about "lost mines" and efforts , in the missions, to mine the area . Eg.: Los Burros district (Manchester, etc...) that, after all, produced gold, was not far away !
Needless to say, it was all just fanciful legend, for a local book sold at tourist traps. But I was shocked at the number of people who actually believed in it ! Very intelligent people, mind you. And if you tried to tell them it was just fiction (because I talked to the author personally about this), they would correct me and tell me about all the newspaper true-account clippings it was based on. And the conspiratorial reasons, the passing ships that skirted the coast. The cove-landing spot not far from there ("perfect for pirates to hide in, blah blah ").
Anyhow, xaos's bibliography timeline reminded of how ...... given enough wild-eyed speculations, and pouring through enough history books, it's possible to make ANYTHING sound iron-clad bullet-proof true.
In the 1930s, they were building the Hwy. 1 route . Down the coast, along remote jagged cliffs and mountains, south of Big Sur, going towards San Simeon. A worker suffered and accident and died. After the last respects were paid, his co-workers lowered his body into a cave near the spot. As it turns out, that cave was a burial cave for native American Indians of pre-history times, in this remote stretch.
Fast forward to the 1950s: Someone exploring the caves down that way (curiosity seeker from exploring the nearby Los Burros mining district) lowered himself via ropes, into this cave . Saw all the bones of Native americans. But ..... lo & behold, one skeleton had western/white-man garb on! News trickled out back in Monterey. Somehow, someway, this got morphed into "European" garb . Which then got morphed into "spanish" or "suit of armor", blah blah blah. Telephone game in full swing ! Even a newspaper clipping about the cave, bones, and the peculiar one with tattered garb fragments evident.
Fast forward to the 1970s: A local author, who liked to weave history with local lore and legend, happen-chanced onto the 1950s newspaper citation of the find. He wove it into a cool story of speculations about treasures that this could indicate. And to do so, he could draw in a bibliography that could rival what xaos posted here. Eg.: details of how a route from San Antonio mission, to connect to the coast. And various tidbits about "lost mines" and efforts , in the missions, to mine the area . Eg.: Los Burros district (Manchester, etc...) that, after all, produced gold, was not far away !
Needless to say, it was all just fanciful legend, for a local book sold at tourist traps. But I was shocked at the number of people who actually believed in it ! Very intelligent people, mind you. And if you tried to tell them it was just fiction (because I talked to the author personally about this), they would correct me and tell me about all the newspaper true-account clippings it was based on. And the conspiratorial reasons, the passing ships that skirted the coast. The cove-landing spot not far from there ("perfect for pirates to hide in, blah blah ").
Anyhow, xaos's bibliography timeline reminded of how ...... given enough wild-eyed speculations, and pouring through enough history books, it's possible to make ANYTHING sound iron-clad bullet-proof true.
So what about the Chinese. Have they been to Oak Island and perhaps they deposited the treasure there. The oldest map in existence showing America is an old Chinese map. Didn't he show say we were in for an unexpected surprise as new discoveries were made. Maybe with all that osculating and grabbing going on someone got pregnant.
I do wonder why so little was found on the island. As in temporary shelters or primitive homes or encampments. What about firepits and privies or even a trash pile. Given so much work was done there over many years there should be a lot more there. You know? Joe.
I do wonder why so little was found on the island. As in temporary shelters or primitive homes or encampments. What about firepits and privies or even a trash pile. Given so much work was done there over many years there should be a lot more there. You know? Joe.
Tom_in_CA
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Assuming there is a treasure there, then this is a valid musing. But ....what treasure ? Who said there was a treasure there ?
To assemble a list of fibers, squiggles on rocks, U's, a lone square nail, and a legend, does not automatically mean: Treasure. Instead, it might just be : fibers, squiggles on rocks, U's, nails, and a legend , with no treasure.
Stretch Da Truth
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xaos for the timeline.Nice add on to the thread to help remember some of the stuff going on.
xaos
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Heres where I find the problems with this whole Oak Island treasure debacle.
It fails on the surface on the hypothesis, fails on proving any hypotheses, and when that happens, the hypothesis changes.
There has never been any hypothesis, that by direct evidence or actual artifacts produced, that provides a positive proof, of said hypothesis.
The proof of the hypothesis, is always deeper, to the left/right, or some other location, but after all of the excavations, testings, soundings, GPR, and the like...
there has never been found any proof of any "treasure".
This 'legend' is a created legend, used by cons to bilk people out of money. simple as that.
Does anyone wonder about the scientific prowess of the team in the series, that after 4 years of self proclaimed "extensive" and "ground breaking/cutting edge scientific" research methods, they are just getting to the "U" shaped structure and other items found in the 1850's?
It fails on the surface on the hypothesis, fails on proving any hypotheses, and when that happens, the hypothesis changes.
There has never been any hypothesis, that by direct evidence or actual artifacts produced, that provides a positive proof, of said hypothesis.
The proof of the hypothesis, is always deeper, to the left/right, or some other location, but after all of the excavations, testings, soundings, GPR, and the like...
there has never been found any proof of any "treasure".
This 'legend' is a created legend, used by cons to bilk people out of money. simple as that.
Does anyone wonder about the scientific prowess of the team in the series, that after 4 years of self proclaimed "extensive" and "ground breaking/cutting edge scientific" research methods, they are just getting to the "U" shaped structure and other items found in the 1850's?
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Tom_in_CA
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Which just goes to show you how clever the treasure-depositors were. They anticipated ahead of time, that TH'rs might be snooping around looking. So they toss out decoy clues in wrong spots. To "throw any would be future TH'rs". Then clean up any clues at the correct site. See ? Thus rather than lack of evidence meaning "no treasure", It is actually ALL THE MORE EVIDENCE of the proof of a treasure.
Kind of like the reason why telephone poles were erected: To scare away elephants. You don't see any elephants do you ? Well see: It must be working then. And if you doubt that's the purpose of telephone poles, I will just continually remind you that no elephants are present . Thus you can not dispute that their purpose wasn't for elephant repellent.
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Carl-NC
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It's worse than that... there has never been found any evidence of any "treasure".
So I think I see the problem here. Skeptics definition of treasure is way too narrow. So in case some don't really know what treasure is, let's review:
treasure
noun trea·sure | \ ˈtre-zhər
, ˈtrā-\
[h=2]Definition of treasure[/h] (Entry 1 of 2)
1a(1) : wealth (such as money, jewels, or precious metals) stored up or hoarded buried treasure
(2) : wealth of any kind or in any form : riches
b : a store of money in reserve
2 : something of great worth or value also : a person esteemed as rare or precious
3 : a collection of precious things
Well, the definition of treasure doesn't appear to be JUST 1a or b does it?
So it may be the history of the activity is the treasure or just about ANYTHING deemed "rare or precious" by ANYONE. So to say there isn't a treasure, isn't valid. There isn't a treasure to certain people IS valid.
To me, the parchment and the gold links show proof of a possible treasure(as defined by section 2 and 3 listed above).
treasure
noun trea·sure | \ ˈtre-zhər
, ˈtrā-\
[h=2]Definition of treasure[/h] (Entry 1 of 2)
1a(1) : wealth (such as money, jewels, or precious metals) stored up or hoarded buried treasure
(2) : wealth of any kind or in any form : riches
b : a store of money in reserve
2 : something of great worth or value also : a person esteemed as rare or precious
3 : a collection of precious things
Well, the definition of treasure doesn't appear to be JUST 1a or b does it?
So it may be the history of the activity is the treasure or just about ANYTHING deemed "rare or precious" by ANYONE. So to say there isn't a treasure, isn't valid. There isn't a treasure to certain people IS valid.
To me, the parchment and the gold links show proof of a possible treasure(as defined by section 2 and 3 listed above).
Charlie P. (NY)
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I am honored to be considered a skeptic. But what makes you think you know how all skeptics think?
You seem to have a bigotry about "skeptics" and group us all in your narrow sleeve of identification like it was a shared genetic trait. It just means someone has doubts or reservations regarding a particular unproven premise. Any scientist should be a skeptic and constantly question new and old information. That's how new stuff is learned, and if it holds up to scrutiny it will eventually become accepted knowledge.
"Treasure" to me is anything of great value. That includes information on past history that was forgotten or previously unknown. Even uncommon fossils are treasure.
I could say you are a "dogmatist" for believing there is a treasure with no evidence or proof.
You seem to have a bigotry about "skeptics" and group us all in your narrow sleeve of identification like it was a shared genetic trait. It just means someone has doubts or reservations regarding a particular unproven premise. Any scientist should be a skeptic and constantly question new and old information. That's how new stuff is learned, and if it holds up to scrutiny it will eventually become accepted knowledge.
"Treasure" to me is anything of great value. That includes information on past history that was forgotten or previously unknown. Even uncommon fossils are treasure.
I could say you are a "dogmatist" for believing there is a treasure with no evidence or proof.
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Tom_in_CA
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b3y0nd3r : I agree with everything you're saying here. Yes: discovery of history can be a "treasure" . Thus treasure need-not-be strictly defined as money, fabulous riches, etc... Have I understood you correctly ?
Ok, but the trouble is: That's not what the O.I. faithful (the TV show, the legend, etc...) are believing/wanting. They are NOT chalking up all this hoopla to mere history, of the definition that you are speaking of.
Otherwise, gee: What spot on the east coast of the USA HASN'T had "cool history of early European explorers" ? What place on the east coast of the USA won't have some old coin or gold trinket found ? All of which, sure, are "treasure".
But you know full well that's not what the hoopla of O.I. is about. It's fully about the other definitions of treasure. If it wasn't, then we wouldn't be going to great lengths within ourselves, to discuss merits, meanings, clues, etc....
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Normally, I don't respond to your posts for personal reasons, however calling me a bigot I take exception to. I have no malice, nor bad feelings or anything deemed to be considered a point of view that categorize skeptics in a bad light. A skeptic to me, is just that. A person that has an opposing view. You can follow my discussion above with Tom, who I have great regards for, to be civil and structured.
I used the term "skeptics" not "all skeptics". IF it came off as "all skeptics" to you and you felt insulted, then I apologize. To be honest, you were not even in my thoughts when I wrote that.
Tom_in_CA
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I think Charlie slipped. I agree we all need to try hard to avoid ad hominems. They can slip, in our haste and passion. Charlie has good inputs regarding this (for a "con" point of view), as does b3y0nd3r likewise have good inputs for the pro point of view.
Stretch Da Truth
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What if Sam Ball, McGinnis, Smith and Vaughan actually found the treasure? The all did seem to mysteriously prosper after being on OI didn't they?
I would have to go digging to pull up all the info on them but they all seem to have acquired wealth and the Granddaughter of McGinnis said they guys did find 3 chests and they all kept one.
What if that is the end of the treasure? Nothing else to find... some Pirate booty and maybe a Spanish or British cache?
What if others cant believe that's the end of the treasure so they keep looking, invent deceptive ploys to make money and perpetuate the search? Kinda sounds like that could be factual doesn't it?
I would have to go digging to pull up all the info on them but they all seem to have acquired wealth and the Granddaughter of McGinnis said they guys did find 3 chests and they all kept one.
What if that is the end of the treasure? Nothing else to find... some Pirate booty and maybe a Spanish or British cache?
What if others cant believe that's the end of the treasure so they keep looking, invent deceptive ploys to make money and perpetuate the search? Kinda sounds like that could be factual doesn't it?
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