Oak Island Tourism Society P

Triton Alliance partners David Tobias and Dan Blankenship are finally selling their part of Oak Island through court‑appointed liquidators WBLI Incorporated. Although several lots on the island are already privately owned, the provincial government should jump at the chance to have the Triton Alliance 78 per cent.

For centuries, treasure seekers have been digging up Oak Island. Some lost their shirts in the process, unfortunately, some lost their lives. David Tobias and Dan Blankenship lost their friendship. Now, after 40 years of on and‑off treasure hunting, they are no loner speaking to one another. Both in their early 80s, they recently decided to stop chasing the dream and divide the sure treasure, the $7 million they're asking for the island.

There are dozens of theories and more questions than answers on Oak Island. What, if anything, is buried there? Who buried it? Why does the ocean flood the money pit? After hundreds of years of futile searching, no one is likely to unlock the island's secrets any time soon. We don't think we're alone in thinking that Oak Island's recoverable treasure is not buried underground, it's buried in the island's history, its mystery and its potential to become a world‑class tourist attraction.

A recent feasibility study by the Economic Planning Group of Canada decided that Nova Scotia's small market base could not support a "free‑standing attraction," but it did recognize potential for broader, tourism‑related approaches on Oak Island. As reported by Angie Zinck in these newspapers last February, that planning group believes "The magic is on the island," and sees the "outstanding and compelling power of the Oak Island mystery" as a promising concept for a future attraction. That potential for tourism development makes the Province of Nova Scotia the logical choice as purchaser of the island.

To allow developers to build condos or a private, luxury summer community on one of the province's most important historic sites would be unconscionable. Oak Island is a priceless provincial asset. The province must acquire it now for the benefit of all Nova Scotians.

The province must concentrate its energies on building up resources and improving Nova Scotia's crumbling infrastructure. If the government does everything it can to make the province an attractive destination, more tourists will come.

Nova Scotia's roads are the top priority. They are in such deplorable condition that many tourists go home and warn their friends not to come here. Repairs cannot wait. Also at the top of the list is environmental responsibility. We must reduce the consumption of fossil fuels, halt the dumping of raw sewage into provincial bays and harbours, and create legislation that will satisfy the courts to force the removal or repair of unsightly premises throughout the province.

And simultaneously, the government must embrace every opportunity to purchase historical and recreational sites and protect them from inappropriate development. Making Nova Scotia more attractive to visitors is a government responsibility. The purchase of mystery‑shrouded Oak Island for the future benefit of all Nova Scotians is a very sensible step towards achieving such a goal.

EVIDENCE FOR A BLOW-OUT AT THE MONEY PIT©

Graham Harris

This is a summary of a brief talk given to attendees to the activities of the Oak Island Tourist Society at Western Shore, Nova Scotia, on August 13, 2005 . It is reproduced for general interest and public comment.

On of the most crucial features in understanding the nature of the underground workings on Oak Island is the documented evidence for a past failure at the bottom of the Money Pit. This evidence was first noted in 1931, but its significance was not realized until 1994.

In 1931 William Chappell and Frederick Blair penetrated the Money Pit, extending the greatest depth previously reached from 113 feet to 155 feet. They went where no man had gone before - at least since 1795, when signs of underground workings on the island were first discovered. In the process of removing the shaft infilling they encountered certain artifacts which included an anchor fluke at 116 feet, an axe head at 123 feet and a pick and miner's oil lamp at 127 feet.

Rupert Furneaux in his well-known book Money Pit - The Mystery of Oak Island (1972) writes "these discoveries perplexed Blair", he also reports him verbatim in the following words:-

From 116 ft. six in. to 155 ft., the earth in over half the shaft was much disturbed [apparently the vertical shaft was located partly in virgin ground and partly over the Money Pit]. How these articles reached a depth of from ten to seventeen ft. lower than any searcher ever reached, is a question that must be answered..........Both (the axe and the pick) were in perpendicular position and in soft, disturbed or filled ground...........At about 150 ft. we commenced to uncover broken-up pieces of stone, the nature of which no person can here identify. They have the appearance of the so-called cement which was drilled through in previous years, and yet it does not resemble it in all respects. These stones first appeared in the disturbed portion of the Pit, a chunk or two and gradually spread over the whole area. As the men dug deeper, the bottom became largely covered with this stuff in broken pieces, and Mr. Stevenson, the miner in charge of the actual work, says they appear as if they had been dumped or dropped from a higher point. At the present level [155 feet], the bottom of the Pit is covered with this stuff, and it seems as if we are in a bed of it that may extend considerably deeper.

Underground failures are not infrequent. In some of the world's deepest mines, especially those on the Witwatersrand of South Africa, rock bursts (as they are known) are often extremely violent events and take an annual toll on those working underground. The visitor underground may be alarmed by the rock creaking ominously, but it is only releasing its internal stresses in a controlled manner. The deeper the mine the greater those stresses and the increased chances of disaster. At four miles below surface rock pressures approximate 25,000 pounds per square inch, and with a temperature increase of about 1̊C every 300 feet, it is a hot, dangerous, and cramped environment in which the miners toil. When the rock releases its energy suddenly and violently the explosion is equivalent to about 3.0 or 3.5 on the Richter Scale of Earthquake Magnitude, i.e equal to that of a small atomic bomb. A novel set against the backdrop of such an event is that by Wilbur Smith titled Gold after disaster struck the West Driefontein Mine about 1970. Some 6,000 workers were underground at the time, but fortunately not a single life was lost.

What has this to do with the Money Pit? Quite a lot, because rock bursts at great depth in hard, brittle rocks have their counterparts at shallower depth, when they are called 'blow outs'. In fact a 'rock burst' may be thought of as a more specific type of 'blow out'. A blow out may be described in general terms as a 'catastrophic event when the external hydrostatic or rock pressure causes a failure of the rock cavity in which mining is taking place - the mine workings become suddenly inundated with water or rock debris (or both) when implosion takes place - loss of life may result'. Blair's description tallies exactly with what an experienced underground engineer, familiar with the phenomena of rock bursts and blow outs, would recognise instantly. Blair stumbled on the evidence, but regrettably he failed to recognise its significance.

Blair writes "At about 150 ft. we commenced to uncover broken-up pieces of stone, the nature of which no person here can identify." These fragments of rock became larger and more numerous with depth until "the bottom of the Pit is covered". It is a great pity Blair made no attempt to identify the type of rock they had encountered. Since none of those involved in the excavation could identify the rock, it may be presumed that none of the workers had seen it before either at higher levels in the shaft or at surface. Everyone present must be assumed to have been familiar with granite, slate, basalt and limestone, as these rocks outcrop in the general area, or are constituent members of the ubiquitous glacial till which otherwise blankets the region. The only rock type which is present at depth, but not evident at surface, is gypsum/anhydrite which is now known to directly underlie the Money Pit. When Blair and Chappell were engaged on their excavation they would have had no knowledge of the presence of this material at greater depth, for it is only from deep boreholes put down in the 1960s that the first real evidence arose regarding the existence of this quite treacherous rock type in the immediate vicinity.

Anhydrite, or calcium sulphate (CaSO4) is a weak, water soluble rock which can hydrate to its allied form gypsum (CaSO4.2H2O), by absorbing water in accordance with the following chemical equation, which is fully reversible:

CaSO4 + 2H2O = CaSO4.2H2O

(anhydrite) (water) (gypsum)

The process of hydration from anhydrite to gypsum results in considerable volume expansion and, conversely, dehydration results in volume shrinkage. This expansion process, when it occurs, creates an extensive pattern of shear fractures within the altered anhydrite. This shear fracturing constitutes systemic weaknesses prone to subsequent solution and enlargement by flowing water, particularly where sea water is involved. Because of the chemistry of the solution mechanism gypsum/anhydrite is more soluble in salt water than in fresh.

As soon as any excavation within the gypsum/anhydrite became exposed to water, all anhydrite in the immediate vicinity would have converted more fully to gypsum, with general weakening as a consequence of associated volume expansion. As rock strength decreased, the ability of the rock to sustain stress would have diminished, and once that ability dropped towards a threshold value the likelihood of a catastrophic event occurring would have become greater. A blow out at the base of a shaft would lead to a plume of rock debris surging upwards, possibly triggered by pumping or bailing operations. In the process of rising upwards the larger, heavier fragments of rock debris would have lagged behind the smaller, lighter materials, and a degree of segregation would have resulted much in the manner described by Blair.

Les MacPhie has provided borehole evidence showing the anhydrite/gypsum contact at the base of the Money Pit shaft is lower than elsewhere in the general proximity. It may be concluded, therefore, that the violence of the blow out event was sufficient to pluck out the rock and, consequently, many of the rock fragments encountered in the shaft (some fifty feet higher) can be attributed to this source.

Blair writes that "Both (the axe and the pick) were in perpendicular position and in soft, disturbed or filled ground ...." From this statement it cannot be ascertained whether the axe and pick either fell from above or ascended from below, as long-handled tools such as these will assume a similar aspect whether they be dropped from above or rise from below. It was assumed by Blair that the tools and associated artifacts found between depths of 116 and 127 feet had fallen, but the possibility remains that they may have originated from depth, being transported upwards within the plume of debris.

An upwards surge of debris within the Money Pit shaft would have risen high enough to counterbalance the hydrostatic pressure imposed by the external sea level. Simple physics shows the column of debris would have ascended to between 115 and 125 feet below ground surface, that is marginally below the point where the invert of the Flood Tunnel connects with the Money Pit shaft at a depth of 114 feet. The question that must be asked is - what came first, the chicken or the egg, i.e. the blow out or the Flood Tunnel? It is too much of a coincidence that the debris column rose to within a few feet of the intersection between shaft and tunnel! It must be concluded, therefore, that the Flood Tunnel was excavated later.

The Money Pit shaft and the Flood Tunnel are two very dissimilar elements of the underground workings on Oak Island. Whereas the shaft could have been dug by anyone (first time around) with little engineering knowledge, the excavation of the tunnel required a higher degree of sophistication and mining experience. They are as different as chalk and cheese, and certain as they are to have been constructed by different parties the likelihood exists that decades elapsed between their separate excavations. The Flood Tunnel is 2½ feet wide by 4 feet high, which is significant in that these were standard dimensions for many British mines, dimensions which had been adopted by the sappers and miners in the British military.

The implications conclude that the Flood Tunnel was constructed after the blow out, and whatever had been at the bottom of the Money Pit had proved irrecoverable. Therefore, that which had been lost must have been of enormous value to permit such an undertaking. The archival evidence points to the lost treasure of Sir William Phips.

by Dan Blankenship

Would you drink away an Angel?

Would you chase away a friend?

You know he’s here to help you

unto the very end.

For many years he saved you

In your lifestyle gone astray

And now you really need him

To help you on your way.

God sent your guardian Angel

To be your constant friend

For many years he saved you

From life’s most dangerous trends

Your Angels loosing patience

You never seem to hear

And in these later years

You have so much to fear

Don’t chase away your Angel

God sent him here to help

He is only here to save you

To help you from yourself

Don’t drink away your Angel

From helping you each day

He’s finally loosing patience

In keeping you from harms way

We all have Guardian Angels

To save us from life’s perils

Don’t chase away your Angel

You need him in this world

Oak Island and Maritime Culture:

An Island of Possibilities

By Kyle Wagner

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kyle Wagner a native of Prince Edward Island graduated from Mount Allison University, Sackville New Brunswick in 2005. He currently is in his second year of a master’s program at the Atlantic School of Theology. Since the age of seven he has dreamed of pirates and treasure, and the mystery of Oak Island.

PREFACE:

It is hoped that this paper will offer some insight regarding the nature of Oak Island and its treatment in society. Far too often, the legend of Oak Island has been overclouded by the numerous theories, and its cultural and historical nature has been left behind. This paper is an attempt to revitalize interest in the island and what it has to offer to Nova Scotia and Canada.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS:

Many thanks to Danny Hennigar, for his time and great advice. Also to Yvonne Hennigar, and members of the Oak Island Tourism Society (OITS). Special thank to Graham Harris for all his kind support over the years. Also thanks to Jo Atherton for her hard work over the years on her website. Also thanks to Dan Henskee for his kind friendship.

FOREWARD:

Since the writing of this paper, numerous activities on Oak Island have transpired. It has been bought by “The Michigan Group,” and work is slated to begin very shortly. Perhaps in the near future tangible results will be found when the treasure is brought to the earth’s surface. Until then, we can all dream and continue to speculate as a community of treasure hunters!

Oak Island and Maritime Culture:

An Island of Possibilities

By Kyle Wagner

- Treasure Island (Robert Louis Stevenson):

The paper had been sealed in several places with a thimble by way of seal; the very thimble, perhaps, that I had found in the captain’s pocket. The doctor opened the seals with great care, and there fell out the map of an island, with latitude and longitude, soundings, names of hills and bays and inlets, and every particular that would be needed to bring a ship to a safe anchorage upon its shores. It was about nine miles long and five across, shaped, you might say, like a fat dragon standing up, and had two fine land-locked harbours, and a hill in the centre part marked “The Spy-glass.” There were several additions of a later date, but above all, three crosses of red ink—two on the north part of the island, one in the southwest—and beside this last, in the same red ink, and in a small, neat hand, very different from the captain’s tottery characters, these words: “Bulk of treasure here.” Over on the back the same hand had written this further information:

Tall tree, Spy-glass shoulder, bearing a point to

the N. of N.N.E.

Skeleton Island E.S.E. and by E.

Ten feet.

The bar silver is in the north cache; you can find

it by the trend of the east hummock, ten fathoms

south of the black crag with the face on it.

The arms are easy found, in the sand-hill, N.

point of north inlet cape, bearing E. and a

quarter N.

J.F.

Since the eighteenth century treasure hunters have tried to unearth the “pirate treasure” from a cavern that reaches a depth of forty-six meters on Oak Island. Over the years, tourists have traveled to the island to catch a glimpse of the famous Money Pit. Numerous products related to the Oak Island mystery are now the norm on tourist store shelves, and a tourism industry has been built upon the folklore. Films and a vast array of literature have also been produced, with each author citing their own theory. With such a large interest, a treasure seeking community has been formed, with many “arm chair” treasure hunters, participating in the search for the mysterious treasure of Oak Island. It has been difficult to trace the origins of this established genre, as with mystery often a shroud of uncertainty often follows. The question remains: why have so many people believed in these stories of pirate gold?

Folklore, for a long time has had a significant impact on maritime culture. In the past, religion and superstition have served as a background for the people of the South Shore of Nova Scotia, to which stories of the unknown have found home. In her journeys to the region, Helen Creighton has unearthed the superstitions of the past. Her books have elevated the ideals of a cultural “backward” region. Once known for its large fishing communities, the South Shore is now seen as an adventurous place, where pirates once frequented the nearby coast. The folklore of pirates, treasure and gold are now standing elements of maritime culture. Oak Island and its lost treasure is arguably the most well known phenomenon of the unexplainable that Nova Scotia has, and thus it deserves credit.

Oak Island has a long and mysterious history. Recent research has suggested that the island was perhaps inhabited around the 1795 mark. In June of 1795, it is believed that Donald McInnis aged thirty-four, from Chester first ventured onto Oak Island. McInnis had heard tales that the small island just off the coast of Nova Scotia was once inhabited by pirates. Yarns and superstitions told of stories of “lights” being seen at night on the island. When McGinnis arrived to the island he discovered a ship’s tackle block hanging from an oak tree. The area looked excavated, as trees and brush were cleared in the immediate area. Excited, he went home to find his friends John Smith and Anthony Vaughan. The three friends returned to the island with shovels and picks, and they began digging for buried treasure. The trio dug thirty feet below the oak tree which was later known as the Money Pit. After many attempts to recover treasure, McGinnis gave up his pursuit. For more than 200 years, tales of the treasure were told and the mystery of Oak Island became entrenched in the minds and hearts of many local people along the South Shore.

Since McGinnis’ exploration of the island, many have tried to recover the treasure, but often at a cost. The search for treasure has caused toil, heart ache and even death amongst treasure hunters. In 1803 the Onslow Company (including McGinnis, Smith and Vaughan along with a group of investors) excavated the Money Pit without success. In 1804, an inscribed stone was removed from the Money Pit. This year also saw McInnis and the Onslow Company face more challenges when an attempt to recover the treasure ended as when dug a certain depth, water would rush into treasure shaft. Later attempts to recover the treasure would led to the discovery of an intricate system of flood tunnels that had been constructed to prevent whatever was below the oak tree from being discovered. In 1849, the Truro Syndicate tried their luck finding treasure but to no avail. In 1850, a flood tunnel was discovered. This tunnel allowed water to rise in the shaft along with the changing of the tides. During the early twentieth century, many believed that a treasure could be uncovered including United States President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who helped finance an excavation attempt.[1]

In 1861, the island claimed its first casualty as one man died from scalding burns while pumping water out of the treasure shaft. In 1893, the Oak Island Treasure Company was formed by Fred Blair, in order to explore the areas around the Money Pit. In 1897, the group found a stone triangle that theorists have linked to a Masonic presence on the island.[2]

In the same year, Maynard Kaiser fell to his death while exploring the Money Pit. In 1899 a second flood tunnel was discovered, and its location was isolated to south shore of the island where an artificial beach had been created. In 1936 a second inscribed stone was unearthed. The following year, Charles Roper, a surveyor from Halifax, surveyed the stone triangle formation and concluded that the central stone of the triangle pointed directly to the Money Pit. On August 17, 1965, four men, Robert and Bobby Restall, Karl Graeser, and Cyril Hiltz died from drowning when the collapsed from the carbon monoxide fumes that filled the tunnel. In 1971, a camera was used to take video footage of Borehole 10X. It is speculated that a severed hand and two oak chests were recorded.[3]

Major excavation has been carried out on Oak Island since 1795 and continues to this day. David Tobias a businessman from Montreal, and Dan Blankenship a contractor from Miami, Florida established Triton Alliance. Blankenship heard of the island when he read about it in Reader’s Digest. The two men, who own a percentage of the island, have their own ideas of what is on the island, and who buried it. Fred Nolan another treasure seeker suggests that the stone triangle on the island is crucial to solving the mystery. However, Dan Blankenship believes that the Money Pit holds the key to unlocking the enigma, as he believes that the treasure lies at the bottom of Borehole 10X. Yet Tobias considers that the treasure is in the original findings and is found at the bottom of the Money Pit.

Dan Blankenship and Fred Nolan are well known celebrities amongst treasure hunters. The two men have poured fortunes into deep dark holes to no substantial avail (that the public knows of). There are frequent visitors to the island even though a sign at the entrance of the causeway to the island reads “No Trespassing.” Theorists offer their suggestions to both, and have even traveled to the island to explain their findings. These theorists though have often hurt the island’s credibility.

Arguably so, Oak Island is the world’s most recognized treasure hunt. Treasure hunters from around the world continue to hypothesize about what is buried on the island and whose treasure it is. These treasure hunters all have claim their own ideas, and often they can be extremely opinionated. There are numerous websites and online forums where enthusiasts can discuss the mystery and history of the island.[4]

Numerous theories exist about who buried what. Some believe that Sir Francis Bacon buried his manuscripts on the island.[5] Others suggest that the Incas buried their treasures beneath the oak tree.[6]

Shakespeare’s Sonnets, Acadian gold, King George III’s treasure from Havana, Cuba, Masonic Knights Templar who buried the Holy Grail on the island[7] and even the landing of UFOs[8] have all been levied amongst theorists. Unfortunately, these wild ideas have hurt the creditability of the island as a historic site. Because of such fantasies, many investors in the 20^th century see the island as a financial risk as there is no one definitive theory that stands out amongst the others.

During the nineteenth century, rumors of pirate treasure buried along the coast of the South Shore were commonly spread. Helen Creighton, an acclaimed folklorist visited the area during the 1930s and 40s. She recorded many of her cultural stories in Folklore of Lunenburg County Nova Scotia, and Bluenose Ghosts. During this period and still today, many rural Nova Scotians were and are superstitious. Her work is reflective of this as tales of ghosts, forerunners, buried treasure and pirates are all told as an oral history by some of the residents of the South Shore region.[9]

Many have praised Creighton’s work as influential in describing Nova Scotian culture. However, critics like Ian McKay have suggested that she has left a large portion of the region out, due to her methods of research, and her biases to certain cultures. Such criticism is warranted, but her work should be acclaimed as it is the first documented history of the region that records such superstitious stories of pirates and gold, and it serves a purpose to this discussion.

Helen Creighton’s journeys along the winding roads of the South Shore were fruitful, as she gathered an important collection of literature which has taken the form of many books. The stories that she received orally from fisherman, farmers, and industrial labourers tell the story of the region. In the past, the South Shore coast was home to small operating fishing ports where seamen gathered on the docks to discuss the weather and the whereabouts of a mysterious treasure nearby. General Stores and the local church were gathering places for the community. Many of Creighton’s stories were likely told in such an environment. Religion was important to the local people, because Lunenburg was settled by the Protestants and in particular the Lutherans in 1753: “most of the settlers were Lutherans, but other Protestant clergy ministered them…”[10] In Lunenburg, St. John’s Anglican Church exists as the oldest church in Canada.

Helen Creighton’s research has recovered many myths. In one interview, Creighton explores the unexplained as she looks at how to properly dig for treasure, and the superstition that surrounds it. As she talked with Mr. Enos Hartlan of South-East Passage, Nova Scotia, she learned of one attempt to obtain treasure.

One man was walking along a beach one night with another man and they saw a bunch of pirates sitting around a fire. Beside the fire there were two casks of gold, so these mend decided they’d creep up and get the smaller cask and run for it. It seemed pretty safe as the pirate’s swords were lying at their sides. So they went up and got the cask all right and they outrun the pirates and hid the box, planning to come back in the morning. They went to sleep then and in about 2 hours’ time come back to the place planning to divide the gold, but it had disappeared. Yes sir, that’s as true as I’m a-setting’ here. My father told me that story not once but a dozen times.[11]

The people of the South Shore often stayed up late listening to yarns. Many believed that Captain William Kidd a British privateer, turned pirate had buried his treasure on Oak Island:

The greatest inspiration however stems from the fact of Captain Kidd’s fabulous treasure, and many people think that it lies in Nova Scotia. Some say it is buried in a bay that has three hundred and sixty-five islands and both Mahone and Argyle Bays answer to these requirements. Rocks have been found bearing the name the famous pirate. … We may speculate upon the source of treasure, but there is no doubt that the money and other wealth have been extracted from the ground and washed up on our shores.[12]

Colonization by European countries was often carried out in pursuit of riches. The idea of exploring new lands was fostered by the belief that riches would be found. George H. Hubbard quotes J.D. Whitney when he states: “sixteenth century travelers had little else in mind save the recompense for their toils and dangers in the rich mines of the precious metals which they were going to discover.”[13]

The new settlers of the South Shore were intrigued by the idea of finding gold in the area. There have been documented cases where small amounts of treasure have been recovered. During this period, small amounts of gold doubloons were recovered, and were taken to the bank to be cashed. These stories were common to the South Shore of Nova Scotia and fueled curiosity amongst local residents and the rest of the world. When Lunenburg was founded, the British government established the Shoreham Grant, an act relating to the recovery of treasure. The act reads:

Do by these Peasants give grant and Confirm unto the several Persons hereafter named Seventy Shares & a half of Two hundred Shares or Rights whereof the said Township is to consist with all and all manner of Mines unopened excepting Mines of Gold and Silver, precious Stones and Lapis Lazuli in & upon the said Shares or Rights.[14]

The Shoreham Grant is interesting because Harris and MacPhie point out that Lapis Lazuli is not local to the region, but rather is a material which is only found in the Caribbean. Many believed that some bullion from across the Atlantic lay in the area of the South Shore, and possibly on Oak Island.

Treasure-seeking activity in the South Shore region was frequent during the early 18^th century as people like Daniel McGinnis searched on Oak Island for pirate treasure. Residents of the areas of Lunenburg, La Have, Port Medway, and Blue Rocks all claimed that pirates had visited their towns, and that treasure was buried in the area. Amazingly there are three hundred and sixty five islands which stretch the length of the Mahone Bay. This activity is rare for such a small region and begs the question: Why do people believe in the unexplained? What are the causes for this cultural experience?

Religion and superstition play a role in the belief of folklore. During the 18^th and 19^th centuries, religion was a static element of the times. A strong faith base was evident as Anglican and Catholic churches were frequently attended by the people. The belief in a divine being and the practice of such belief is fundamental to religion. The notion that God exists without being visible to humanity is a part of this belief. Ontologically, superstitions are similar. Superstitions are the belief in something fearful and unknown. These beliefs are often widely held and are acted upon as stories are told. Often unjustified, superstitions are told affecting the nature of an idea. A comparison of religion and superstition reveals that both are similar in nature.

As religion was practiced, so was superstition. People believed in God, whom they could not see, and they also believed in stories of ghosts which could not be seen. The mystery of God was similar to the mysteries which were told by the people. Both mysteries were practiced as people went to church and they also told their pirate stories. Both creeds of belief provided similar elements for the people. The unknown was intriguing and the church served as a place where such mysteries were discussed.

It is impossible to isolate the starting point of folklore stories on the South Shore. No person is responsible for the stories of pirates and gold. Culturally, a story was created at one point in time and was built upon. Perhaps a series of historical events triggered discussion and a fable was formed. Or there could be some truth to these stories, but this is unknown. As folklore was told, the stories were altered, added to and told to others. In her writings, Creighton is also responsible for altering many stories. These superstitions were a part of the South Shore culture because they told the story of the people and their desire for gold bullion and fortune. For those living on the South Shore, adventure was intriguing because the possibility of finding wealth could change their lives. Many of the people were hard working laborers. They were not afraid of work and they knew how to dig a hole in the ground. To them, gold on Oak Island was the equivalent to a modern day 6/49 lottery draw. As these stories were created, one bigger story was established.

Helen Creighton’s work can be viewed as a contributing factor to the creation of such a folklore market which is pursued by those who are interested. Her stories of the unexplained were knitted together to create a genre that was broadcasted to the world. Middle-class society would read her books and learn about the superstition and Nova Scotia. People from around the world heard about Oak Island and its lost treasure. The individual connected mystery and gold to the region. Pirates and spooky places are intriguing because people inherently enjoy adventure and the unexplained. A sense of liberation can come from adventure. In our secular society, instead of religion, there is room for other unknowns. The mystery of treasure and gold is appealing to many, and often acted upon. For some, treasure hunting is a hobby which is conducted in spare time and after work. Arm-chair historians conduct research in hopes of revealing the secret of Oak Island and its lost treasure. Yet, some treasure hunters are professionals.

Barry Clifford, a professional treasure hunter, discovered the Whydah, a fabled pirate ship off the coast of Cape Cod, Massachusetts in 1984. He recently led an expedition in collaboration with the Discovery Channel to find Captain William Kidd’s lost pirate ship the Adventure Galley. The film Return to Treasure Island and the Search for Captain Kidd which has recently taken the form of a book, details the expedition that led Clifford to the coast of Ile Ste. Marie, Madagascar and to Pirate Island, where gold was rumored to be buried. For some, treasure hunting is a profession, for others it is a passionate pursuit of the unknown. The idea of finding treasure can become consuming, and often obsessive.

There is a huge market today for pirate stories and the unexplained. The Discovery Channel and the History Channel have produced documentary films on the mystery of Oak Island. Pirate films have also made a return to the big screens in Hollywood. The recent release of the Disney movie The Pirates of the Caribbean is one example. The movie, starring Johnny Depp as the pirate Jack Sparrow was nominated for five Academy Awards, and grossed $305,388,685 in the United States.[15]

This genre is making a comeback in Hollywood as plans for a sequel are already in the works. As Katherine Monk suggests:

The fact is, all genre movies have an inner code that tends to resonate best at specific times in human history. Because it’s [pirate movies] one of the original genres, the swashbuckler has come and gone several times over since the start of commercial cinema. From serious entertainment, to child-oriented matinees, to adventure story with mass appeal, it’s also taken many forms. Yet behind every manifestation, we can follow the same pirate map to the hidden treasure of meaning because pirate movies have proven one of Hollywood’s best vehicles for subversive commentary on the outside world. For starters, look at the heroes of the pirate genre. They’re usually pirates—criminals who steal from the rich and redistribute wealth to the poor. That’s pretty counter-culture. Moreover, the pirate is usually a person who straddles the lines of sexuality. Depp embodied the androgynous side of the pirate’s life perfectly with his bedroom eyes and cocky, pompous self-assurance—as well as his scarlet costume—which made him a true charmer.[16]

As mentioned before, a large body of literature has been established from Nova Scotia folklore. There have been many children’s books and plays written including Jim Betts’ play, The Mystery of Oak Island which was featured at Calgary’s Storybook Theatre Launch in 2004. The mystery of the island has encouraged others to write. Rolling Stone featured an article on the island. Randall Sullivan’s article “The Curse of Oak Island,” highlights the hardships faced by treasure hunters:

Can what’s buried beneath the ground on Oak Island possibly be worth what the search for it already has cost? Six lives, scores of personal fortunes, piles of wrecked equipment and tens of thousands of man-hours have been spent so far, and that’s not to mention the blown minds and broken spirits that lie in the wake of what is at once the world's most famous and frustrating treasure hunt.[17]

Many are intrigued about the possibility of treasure on Oak Island. Tourism has grown as many traveled to the region to visit the quaint towns which were once visited by pirates. The Leader Post Regina ran a review of Nova Scotia in a tourism piece:

Nova Scotia’s amazing history blossoms beneath the surface of modern times around nearly every corner, creating a mix that makes the province charming and exciting to visit. … And just when you think you’ve seen it all, there’s more, so much more. This province is steeped in history and tradition, as well in the fine art of the short and tall tale. The story of Oak Island is one that will have even the most skeptical wanting to purchase a Nova Scotia shovel in order to dig for the much-sought-after buried treasure of Oak Island. … It is a story, like many Nova Scotia stories, that stays with the visitor well after they have returned home—yet another fascinating part of visiting remarkable Nova Scotia.[18]

The packaged idea of gold and treasure that Creighton created still exists. Recently, the Oak Island Tourism Society with the hard work of its board members have tried to get the province on board with taxpayer’s money to help create more tourist attraction to the Money Pit. Dan Blankenship and the “Michigan Group” own seventy-eight per cent of the island are willing to sell the property for 7 million dollars. The province has not offered any money, but is willing to help. Danny Hennigar, spokesmen (Publicity and Communications) of the Oak Island Tourism Society, has tried to bridge the gap between the treasure hunters and the Nova Scotia government. He believes that the South Shore economy has a famous piece of real estate, and it should be developed. He believes an interpretive centre will draw people to the region. Many people have tried to recover the treasure and at a cost. Hennigar believes that “it’s an ugly idea. I’d like to see the whole island kept as a heritage site.” [ 19]

NDP MLA, Bill Estabrooks has also advocated for more recognition of the island because he says the province should help out financially. Local PC MLA Judy Stretch of Chester-St. Margaret’s has also been a strong supporter of Oak Island and its possibilities.

Oak Island became an example of such treasure stories because millions of dollars have been spent to recover the treasure, but none has been found to this day. Still, people believe that treasure is buried on the island. However, it is those who are on the outside looking in, that see the area as mysterious. In the past, many Nova Scotians believed in treasure stories. However, no gold was found, and instead of adventure, the realities of maritime culture prevailed. Hard working individuals, laboured on the seas and in the woods of rural Nova Scotia. It has only been outsiders who have ventured in pursuit of the wealth. They were intrigued by the idea of treasure, and purchased the island. Like Squire Trelawney and Dr. Livesey in Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island Blankenship and Nolan caught the “golden bug,” as they have poured their wealth and life into the depths of the Money Pit.

The history and mystery of Oak Island has been discussed for over 200 years. Treasure hunters like Dan Blankenship and Fred Nolan have come to the region in the search of the unexplained. Tourists, with a sense of adventure visit the quaint towns of Mahone Bay and Lunenburg, in rural Nova Scotia during the summer months. A market for this folklore has been created through literature and film, because society enjoys the unexplained.

Many in society believe the pirate stories and folklore of treasure that have been recorded by Helen Creighton’s visits to the South Shore region. These stories are collections of maritime culture and have become a large volume, establishing a literary genre. The belief in the folklore cannot be traced and this is a part of the mystery. Religion and superstition are two strong elements that fostered such cultural interaction in the early part of the 18^th century. Folklore has had consequences and has caused cultural interaction, and Creighton’s works have broadcasted local folklore to the world.

Oak Island and folklore are intricate elements of maritime culture which should be studied further. Oak Island’s significance to regional maritime history has not been expanded upon. This phenomenon has not received adequate research, as very few academic studies have been pursued. Nonetheless, there is something that is drawing people to the region, as six men have died, and millions of dollars have been spent in the search for the treasure, while nothing has been lifted from the depths of the Money Pit.

Bibliography

Creighton, Helen. Bluenose Ghosts. Halifax: Nimbus Publishing, 1994. Creighton, Helen. Folklore of Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, 1976.

Crooker, William S. The Oak Island Quest. Lancelot Press: Windsor, Nova Scotia, 1978.

Crooker, William S. Oak Island Gold. Nimbus Publishing Ltd.: Halifax, Nova Scotia, 1993.

Finnan, Mark. Oak Island Secrets. Halifax: Formac, 1995.

Flinn, Brian. “Group wants taxpayers to purchase Oak Island,” The Daily News. Halifax, N.S.: Dec 18, 2002. p. 8.

Froese, Christalee . “History lives on,” Leader Post Regina, Sask.:May 21, 2004. p. F1.

Harris, Graham, and Les MacPhee. Oak Island and Its Lost Treasure. Halifax: Formac, 1999.

Hubbard, George D. “The Influence of Precious Metals on American Exploration, Discovery, Conquest and Posseion,” Bulletin of the American Geographical Society, Vol. 42, No. 8. (1910), pp. 594-602.

“Internet Movie Database,” [on-line]. An Amazon.com Company; available from <<http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0325980/business>>; Internet; accessed 10 November 2004.

McKay, Ian. The Quest of the Folk: Antimodernism and Cultural Selection in Twentieth-Century Nova Scotia. Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1994.

Monk, Katherine. “Ahoy, Mateys: Pirate Movies Making A Comeback,” Times-Colonist Victoria, B.C.: Apr 26, 2004. p. D4.

“Welcome to Oak Island,” [on-line]; available from <<http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/>>; Internet; accessed 11 November 2004.

Sullivan, Randall. “The Curse of Oak Island,” Rolling Stone, New York: Jan 22, 2004. Iss. 940, p. 56-60, 62-64.

References

Creighton, Helen. Bluenose Magic: Popular Beliefs and Superstitions in Nova Scotia. Toronto: Ryerson Press, 1968.

Fanthorpe, Lionel & Patrica. The Oak Island Mystery: The Secret of the World’s Greatest Treasure Hunt. Toronto: Hounslow, 1995.

Fraser, Mary L. Folklore of Nova Scotia. Antigonish: Formac, 1975.

Furneaux, Rupert. The Money Pit Mystery: The Costliest Treasure Hunt ever. New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, 1972.

Harris, Graham. Treasure and Intrigue: The Legacy of Captain Kidd. Toronto: Dundurn Press, 2002.

Harris, Graham. The Golden Reef of Sir William Phips: A Tale of Treasure, Treason and Intrigue. USA: Booksurge, 2005.

Harris, Graham. The Oak Island Treasure: The Case for Sir William Phips. Canada: Four East Publications, 2006.

Harris, Graham. The Oak Island Treasure: The Military Cover-up 1752-54. Albany, PE: Meadowlark Press, 2007.

Harris, Reginald. The Oak Island Mystery. Toronto: The Ryerson Press, 1958.

O’Conner, Darcy. The Money Pit. New York: Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, Inc., 1978.

O’Conner, Darcy. The Secret Treasure of Oak Island: The Amazing True Story of a Centuries-Old Treasure Hunt. Guilford, Connecticut: The Lyons Press, 2004.

Rediker, Marcus. Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1999.

[1] William S. Crooker. Oak Island Gold. (Halifax, Nova Scotia: Nimbus Publishing Ltd., 1993), pp. 84-85.

[2] Mark Finnan. Oak Island Secrets. (Halifax, Nova Scotia: Formac Publishing, 1995), p. 68.

[3] Graham Harris and Les MacPhie. Oak Island and Its Lost Treasure. (Halifax, Nova Scotia: Formac Publishing, 1999), pp. 96-98.

[4] “Welcome to Oak Island,” [on-line]; available from <<http://www.oakislandtreasure.co.uk/>>

[5] William S. Crooker. Oak Island Gold. pp. 128-129.

[6] Ibid., p. 194.

[7] Ibid., pp. 187-214.

[8] William S. Crooker. The Oak Island Quest. (Windsor, Nova Scotia: Lancelot Press, 1978), p. 185.

[9] Ian McKay. The Quest of the Folk: Antimodernism and Cultural Selection in Twentieth-Century Nova Scotia. (Montreal: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1994), p. 43.

[10] Helen Creighton. Folklore of Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. (Toronto: McGraw-Hill Ryerson Limited, 1976), p. 2.

[11] Ibid., p. 6.

[12] Helen Creighton, Bluenose Ghosts. (Halifax, Nova Scotia: Nimbus Publishing, 1994), p. 43.

[13] George D. Hubbard. “The Influence of Precious Metals on American Exploration, Discovery, Conquest and Posseion,” Bulletin of the American Geographical Society, Vol. 42, No. 8. (1910), p. 594. Quoted in J.D. Whitney, Metallic Wealth of the United States, p. xxi.

[14] Harris and MacPhie. Oak Island and Its Lost Treasure. pp. 17-18.

[15] “Internet Movie Database,” [on-line]. An Amazon.com Company; available from <<http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0325980/business>>

[16] Katherine Monk. “Ahoy, Mateys: Pirate Movies Making A Comeback,” Times-Colonist Victoria, B.C.: Apr 26, 2004. p. D4.

[17] Randall Sullivan. “The Curse of Oak Island,” Rolling Stone New York: Jan 22, 2004. Iss. 940, p. 56.

[18] Christalee Froese. “History lives on,” Leader Post Regina, Sask.: May 21, 2004. p. F1.

[19] Brian Flinn. “Group wants taxpayers to purchase Oak Island,” The Daily News. Halifax, N.S.: Dec 18, 2002. p. 8.

Has the Treasure of Oak Island Been Found?

By: Danny Hennigar

Back in the heyday of the Oak Island Tourism Society’s involvement with Oak Island (2001 - 2009) and their thwarted attempt at establishing a permanent tourism attraction, much new information came to light that had previously been hidden in people’s closets and or memories. One of the goals of the OITS was to re - invigorate the interest in this enigmatic bit of Nova Scotia heritage and in no time flat the OITS was literally besieged with calls from newspapers, magazines, journalists and documentary film makers all wanting a crack at a good story. One year, we even had a reporter from the Wall Street Journal cover our three day festival, Explore Oak Island Days, and he even got to sit down with famed treasure Dan Blankenship for an exclusive talk about theories and Oak Island treasure hunting.

Almost at the same time the OITS was starting a new Oak Island web site sprang up hosted and maintained by a delightful young lady from London England. One day, a new person showed up on her once wildly popular discussion forum who identified himself with a nickname of “Nick”also from England. He had a amazing and never before heard story to tell. It was such a new story that even “Nick” had only recently heard it himself from an elderly relative.

His father had been stationed in Halifax attached to the British military in some capacity in the 1960s and upon hearing the fascinating story of Oak Island, he took it upon himself to go to the island and do some exploring with a metal detector. Apparently his dad was a bit of a treasure hunter and historical researcher. Unfortunately, there is not much more to tell as the family history of this find was very sketchy as it was and the relative, being in her 80s, was struggling for her memory of what she had been told.

Nick was kind enough to show actual photos of the coin and one brash member of the discussion forum declared it to be “a coin issued during the time of Charles the Bold, Duc of Burgundy (1467-77).” Not being one to take up a challenge on the proper identification of mediaeval coinage I left that debate in the hands of the pseudo experts and another day.

A story about another coin found on Oak Island was chronicled by well known and respected Nova Scotia writer, historian and lawyer Reginald Harris in his book, The Oak Island Mystery. His story told us of the discovery of a coin also found in the 1960s by a group of students from Phillips Academy in Andover Massachusetts also with a metal detector. This coin was reported to be a Spanish coin dated 1598. As I was able to talk to the actual student who found it (many years later), this is a story I can personally vouch for.

Then there is the story I got from a gentleman in Florida who made it his business to make personal contact with me after he read an interview I gave to a popular American esoteric magazine in which I discussed the history of Oak Island. His story was not of artifacts or old treasure maps but maybe his story has solved one of Oak Island’s greatest mysteries, where is the elusive treasure?

His tale begins in Vietnam and the conflict that took so many young men and threw a country into a soul searching tailspin. Young Americans and even some Canadians too were lured to this war by nationalism, a sense of adventure, pride or the draft and the ever lingering threat of advancing Communism. His involvement was that of an Air Force Colonel and later as an operative with the Central Intelligence Agency, the famous CIA. I have no idea if his story is one of fabrication or over inflation with gross amounts of embellishment and to be honest, it didn’t much matter, it did not affect the outcome or the account, but he claims to have met up with a fellow officer who’s surname was McGinnis and who’s family once hailed from Nova Scotia and more importantly and exactly, Oak Island Nova Scotia.

McGinnis and the Colonel did not meet in Viet Nam, but later, back on home soil they became good friends and often talked of their experiences. One thing that McGinnis shared with the Colonel was that he was from Nova Scotia and his connections with the famous island. As the Colonel listened he grew more interested until a trip north was seriously discussed but later shelved especially after preliminary conversations with the Department of Natural Resources and their Treasure Trove policies, procedures, Island ownership and so on. One of McGinnis’ peculiarities was that he always wore a sailor’s or captain’s hat, the one that has the shiny peak and white top adorned with a gold ship’ anchor. Around his neck he wore a heavy gold chain and a cross, also of gold.

The two friends often talked of Oak Island, military life and the draw McGinnis felt to Nova Scotia, a place he traveled to and felt the family connection very strongly. But the greatest confidentiality McGinnis withheld and then eventually shared with his friend was that the McGinnis, Vaughan and Smith families, the people credited with starting the treasure hunt had found the treasure back in 1795 and never breathed a word to anyone. McGinnis’ cross and chain were in fact, bona fide Oak Island treasure.

Being the skeptic I am, I asked the Colonel what ever happened to McGinnis’ treasure and it was then I discovered he has surviving family who are also aware of the family story and upon the death of McGinnis, the chain and cross went to his sister. The Colonel gave me the sister’s phone number and you can well imagine, I was quick to give her a call to follow up on this story.

The phone rang and while I awaited an answer, I wondered what this woman may think of a call from some random stranger in Nova Scotia asking about her brother. Would I be intruding, would she think this was some sort of scam or I was a nut, was this all too personal or worse, was the Colonel leading me astray in some kind of cruel joke? As soon as Ms. McGinnis answered the phone she was intrigued how I came to her virtual door and in no time we had a great, seamless conversation much of it about her brother and of course, the treasure. From the beginning, as much as I tried to remain neutral, the story became quite credible.

She tells me she now owns the cross and had it examined by appraisers who told her the cross was over 600 years old and was not poured or molded, but was hammered and hand formed, shaped, and is beautiful.

Ms. McGinnis informed through family legend that three boxes of treasure came out of the ground back in 1795 or thereabouts and that each family member, McGinnis (spelled several ways), Smith and Vaughan each took a box. The three discoverers reportedly were sworn to secrecy and eventually the story got buried very deeply, if you will excuse the pun. The tale continues that the McGinnis’ were “swindled out of their rights” and eventually that part of the family, remnants of treasure in hand, ended up in America to pursue a life free of Oak Island and prying eyes.

Even today, Ms. McGinnis and her siblings are concerned of approach by government or “big business” and their possible reach out for McGinnis’ treasure or what precious little remains.

This part of the McGinnis family has visited Oak Island as far back as the 1970s and more recently in 2008 when a sister brazenly drove across the causeway and had a self guided tour of the island in defiance of my advise to the contrary, but sometimes, you just have to follow your heart and do what you think is right I guess.

Oak Island has many tales to tell, some are fraught with obvious embellishment and gross inaccuracies, some are food for thought, this last story falls in the latter category for me, what about you?

Something to Chew On

By: Danny Hennigar

Over a period of over forty years my interest in Oak Island has garnered me hundreds of conversations and memories from many people some closely connected with the treasure hunt and the island’s amazing history and from those who have only had but a brush with it’s enigmatic past.

One of the most frequently reoccurring story types I hear are ghost stories and those who’s family would take credit for prolonging a particular treasure hunt by the “accidental” discovery of bits of gold or links of chain or some other device salted in the pit. One such gentleman approached me one time after I delivered a well received Oak Island presentation at a local historical society meeting. The conversation began, “you know, my granddad worked on Oak Island back in the 1930s during the great depression.”

“Yessir, he worked for a crazy American and when he wasn’t looking, the men used to put little bits of gold down the hole so when it was discovered, it would egg on the treasure hunters and give the men enough work to get them through tough times.”

So often over the years I heard this story, I had to wonder, where the heck did depression era men get so much gold they could throw down a hole in hopes treasure hunters would find it and prolong a treasure hunt for a few more weeks worth of employment? I even had one middle aged man try and tell me his 80 year old grandfather told him was working in the Money Pit when they drilled into three boxes of treasure finding gold flecks on the drill bit, a story chronicled in Oak Island books and is from the mid 1880s. When a bit of simple math was employed, it was quickly determined his “grandfather could not have to have been “the guy,” he was too young at the time, if he was born at all. Lots of confusion remains and very suspicious stories, all worth examining though.

Some time ago I interviewed a man who actually spent the summer of 1942 on Oak Island working the “deck” or the platform where the excavated debris and men exited the Heddon shaft on Oak Island. I asked him if he or his buddies ever told stories to the treasure hunters, he said no, but did tell me they took great delight in filling the heads of tourists with amazing stories or “yarns” as men of the last generation called them.

I always take the time to patiently listen to these tales as every story has some provenance to it and I am always keen to learn something new about Oak Island history. Being a retired law enforcement officer with over 30 years experience, I have heard a lot of stories about a lot of things and I always look at the means, motive, opportunity for an alleged “crime,” these stories are no different.

One story I heard from a treasure hunter’s son however, gave me cause to sit up and take intense notice. This man and I had a great relationship and exchanged many Emails, letters and even worked together on fund raising schemes to put much needed operating funds in the hands of the Oak Island Tourism Society who wanted to create a major tourism attraction at Oak Island.

He was the keeper of all of his dad’s photos, records, maps, diaries and drawings and shared much of it with me for use in Society displays and for my own personal information and interest. All of this material was promised to me and the Society upon his death but unfortunately, he did pass away rather suddenly and sadly, the materials he had ended up in the hands of a foreign owner, I suspect for cash, something he, like all of us needed from time to time. Years before he died, he showed me a photo of an item he was sure had been found on Oak Island in Smith’s Cove under the sandy beach by his dad after scraping away at the overburden with his bulldozer. Up to that day, no one but he, his late father and I knew about it. Strangely, a year or so before he died I received a confusing and disjointed Email from him informing, almost in a panic, that the item was not found on Oak Island, was not a precious artifact and he had in fact sold it for a pittance, it was gone. To this day I remain suspicious.

I can keep a secret and know how to be confidential, I learned that from my varied career that spanned three decades, from the life lessons learned at my father’s knee and from dealing in the secret world of treasure hunters, a very secretive and often abstract bunch who often ask for secrets to be held, trust me, I have many more. I also know when a confidentiality can be lifted with good conscience.

My friend asked for confidentiality mainly due to his personal relationship with then current treasure hunters, his father’s unfairly tarnished name and the general whirlwind the reveal may cause, but he is gone, the treasure hunters partnership has disappeared and it is time to let it be known. Besides, I bet you are reading this with great anticipation so what he had was a Spanish signal cannon, also known as a thunder mug. If the item was in fact found on (or under) Oak Island, it fits in well with suggestion a treasure was hidden under the island by the Spanish, one of Oak Island’s best jointed theories. How I wish he were still alive for many reasons, but he isn’t so if wishes were horses, beggars would fly as they say. We’ll never know for sure but it sure adds a new thing to think about in the ever increasing arsenal of Oak Island stories.

The Mader’s Cove Pit

By: Danny Hennigar

There are many stories from across this province spoken in hushed tones of buried treasure, mayhem, war, mysteries, ghosts and piracy. Stories abound that speak of places like Hobsen’s Nose off Lunenburg, the wild beauty of the eastern shore, the swamps of Louisburg and one of my favourite places in this great province, Seal Island. This very remote island off Nova Scotia’s south shore hosts tales of trickery and even a confrontation between the two great solitudes, the English and French while at war over what eventually became Canada. The tale goes that a French ship was grounded on the shores of the Island, when an English ship came along and discovered the helpless, vulnerable vessel. Worse for the French, they had a party of English prisoners on board and after negotiations, the prisoners were released. The French were required to throw all their arms into the swamp resulting in a great predicament, being at war but unarmed. As was often the case, a gentlemanly agreement between officers was established and the French were permitted to go free, or so the story goes.

Another story originates out of the Isthmus of Chignecto area near Amherst which separates New Brunswick from Nova Scotia. In my opinion the tale is influenced by the well publicized history of the famous Money Pit of Oak Island, it is known as the Jollicure Mystery Pit. The story was chronicled by prodigious Nova Scotia writer William R. Bird who was very familiar with Oak Island and even wrote an article about it in June of 1947 for the now extinct Mayfair Magazine. For me, one telltale sign that a story is concocted and lacks veracity is when there is a total exclusion of real names, actual dates and no way to verify the story with any accuracy, just like the Seal Island affair.

Lunenburg County has a tale that is true and tells of a long forgotten mystery pit. I verified this myself by a firsthand interview with the son of one of the discoverers, the late Dr. George Dixon*. I contacted Dr. Dixon’s son John regarding the pit discovered by his father back in 1949. Dr. Dixon and friend, Paul Hill*, each purchased a one acre plot of land on which to build summer cabins near the water in Mader’s Cove just outside picturesque Mahone Bay. Consideration was given to the location for a well and a soft damp spot in a small depression was chosen for its location. A hand dug well was started and at approximately three feet a layer of fitted rocks was discovered. The diggers removed the rocks and found they were in a very wet swampy area. Some bits of wood floated to the top of the water which was quickly forming. This wood was later identified as either Pine or Spruce with some Oak.

The wood samples were later sent to the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. whose experts identified the wood and reported that as one piece of Oak was almost fossilized, it may be as old as 6000 years. They also said the Pine and Spruce included in the sample was probably 600 years old.

A limited company was formed and stock was offered to the public. At no time was the word “treasure” mentioned by Hill and or Dixon. Despite this they sold quite a number of stocks in the venture under the understanding it was a mystery being explored. Everyone wanted to know what was there and everyone knew money had to be raised if they were to figure out the mystery. Some people purchased as much as $1000 worth of stock which sold in increments of $100 per share. Mr. Dixon says his father and Mr Hill bought no stock in the venture.

The hole was pushed to 90 feet deep, was circular in shape and lined with cribbing financed by the sale of stocks. It was described as being ten feet in diameter. At 96 feet; they found a “bump” on the side of the shaft which was composed of very hard clay. When they removed the clay bump a gush of water the width of a man’s arm came from the uncovered area and eventually flooded the shaft. They did not try to pump out the incoming water. This was in the summer and fall of 1949. Prior to the flooding, an iron bar was pushed down another ten feet without striking anything of interest.

Eventually, the hapless investigators lost interest in the hole so they decided to dynamite and fill it in. They eventually created the well they were after in the first place in the same location. The water from the well the Dixons made was plentiful and fresh, but they could not drink it as it tasted odd, not salty, but odd, as John recalls.

John Dixon told me it had been about 25 years since someone called him about this “well” but his memories about the tale were easily recalled and sharp. Our conversation was long and filled with stories shared by two curious minds. This story is part of Lunenburg County’s ever growing list of very interesting tales of buried treasure, mayhem, war, mysteries, ghosts and those who toil on the sea.

* Names have been changed to protect the privacy of the parties involved.