Rick Lagina: “This Is What I’ve Been Searching For”
Rick Lagina: "This Is What I've Been Searching For"
Drilling
We all have great hope for that. When you drill into the tunnel itself, we would like to get samples every 10 ft over the tunnel.
Yeah, accurate records, right? We want to know distances, elevations — because those samples will go out to the lab for carbon dating.
Yeah, so I look forward to that. I got this tingling in me.
Beneath the Uneven Surface of Nova Scotia’s Oak Island
Whispers of a hidden treasure have echoed through the centuries. It’s a tale that has captivated the minds of many — a story woven with riddles and cloaked in an aura of mystery.
Here on this small, unassuming island, adventurers and dreamers have long sought to uncover secrets buried deep within the Earth.
The quest, filled with twists and turns, has seen many come and go, each leaving their mark on the island’s lore.
The Lina Brothers and the Mystery
This era has also drawn in the Lina brothers, Rick and Marty — modern-day treasure hunters driven by a blend of curiosity and determination.
However, in a surprising turn of events, the duo recently discovered what could be one of the most astonishing finds on the island.
So what discovery did they make — and what else lies beneath Oak Island?
Their Journey Begins
Rick and Marty Lina are two brothers from Michigan with a lifelong fascination for the Oak Island mystery.
Their adventure began when Rick, as a young boy, read about the island in a magazine. That story sparked a burning curiosity that would follow him into adulthood.
Teaming up with his brother Marty, a successful businessman with the resources to fund their quest, they began an ambitious journey to solve the centuries-old mystery.
Not Just Treasure — The Challenge Itself
The Lina brothers are not just driven by the appeal of treasure.
They are captivated by the challenge, the history, and the chance to write a new chapter in the island’s storied past.
They are methodical, analyzing every clue with a team of experts — from historians to geologists — in their endless search for the truth.
The DN 11.5 B Hole
As they delve deeper into the island’s secrets, the brothers uncovered what could be one of the most significant discoveries — the DN 11.5 B hole.
Concrete signs suggest this might be the original Money Pit — or it could be right next to it.
As the story of Oak Island unfolds, this borehole brings a treasure trove of new possibilities.
Precision and Planning
The significance of the DN 11.5 B hole lies in its location: within the mysterious Money Pit region, an area known for its hidden treasure and complex underground structures.
This borehole is the result of careful planning and cutting-edge technology.
Armed with historical data, geological surveys, and previous exploration insights, the team identified this spot as a potential key area.
Pounding on the Timber
You’re right — and that’s one of the reasons why we pound on that timber all the time. To see if there’s any void behind us.
As the drill pierced the Earth, the anticipation among the team was noticeable.
Each foot of depth achieved by the borehole was a step further into the unknown — a journey into the depths of history and legend.
Methodical Exploration
The team’s strategy was clear: to explore the depths methodically, analyze each layer of soil and rock for clues, and proceed with caution — mindful of the island’s notorious ability to guard its secrets.
The borehole’s depth range was particularly significant: between 80 and 120 ft.
Historical Clues and Artifacts
Historical accounts and previous explorations suggested that this range could be where answers lie hidden.
It was within these depths that past treasure hunters came across mysterious platforms of logs, hints of human activity, and puzzling artifacts.
More Than Just a Dig
For the Lina brothers, reaching this depth was more than just a physical achievement.
It was about touching a part of history — reaching a point many had sought but few had attained.
Every bit of wood, every fragment of metal, every trace of human activity unearthed from the borehole had the potential to add to the narrative of the island.
“We’re at Bedrock”
Appreciate all the hard work — but we’re at bedrock.
Bottom line is: I think we’re pretty close to being done.
The DN 11.5 borehole was a bridge to the past, a medium through which the silent stories buried for centuries could finally be told.
The Moment of Truth
As the drill continued, for Rick, Marty, and their team, this was more than just an excavation.
It was a moment of truth, a test of their resolve — and perhaps a step closer to solving the enduring mystery of Oak Island.
The Discovery at 90 Feet
As the drill bit through the layers of history, a sudden change occurred at 90 ft.
The team, closely monitoring every movement and every sound from the borehole, sensed it immediately.
“Every time we encounter a void, your first thought is — this might lead us somewhere.”
There was a shift, a break in the pattern they had grown used to.
This was the moment they had been waiting for.
The Unexpected Void
Yet it was nothing like what they had expected.
The discovery at 90 ft was not a chest of gold coins or a pirate’s map — instead, it was an open space. A void in the Money Pit.
Open Questions
In Oak Island’s history, voids had often indicated areas of interest — potential chambers or tunnels where treasures could be hidden.
But this was different. Unexpected in its nature and location.
Was this void a natural formation? Or part of the complicated design of the Money Pit?
Could it be a new clue — or another clever diversion?
“Right About 90 Feet…”
“So I was doing my run to 100 — right at about 90 ft, broke through something.”
As the team pondered over the significance of this discovery, the atmosphere was charged with possibilities.
The East-West Alignment
This was not just a physical space — it was a gateway into the unknown.
The east-west alignment uncovered at 94 ft deep was a revelation. It suggested a deliberate design — a purposeful construction hidden beneath the surface.
“13.5 — all in that east-west alignment. All of it is a structure at 94 ft below.”
A Larger System?
This alignment hinted at a structured, man-made construction — possibly part of a larger system that extended across the Money Pit area.
For Rick, Marty, and their team, the uncovering of this alignment strengthened their belief that the answers they sought were indeed buried on Oak Island.
A Tunnel Theory
Central to their theories was the appealing prospect of a hidden tunnel near the bottom of the shaft.
This wasn’t just a wild guess — it was grounded in the island’s history.
Caution Ahead
The team was well aware of the dangers.
Oak Island was infamous for its booby traps and engineering marvels designed to protect its secrets.
Navigating such a tunnel would require planning, expertise, and deep respect for the past.
Presentation at the Interpretive Center
The journey took a major turn with the presentation of scientific findings at the Oak Island Interpretive Center.
Rick, Marty, and Emma Culligan — an expert in aromatology — were ready to unveil insights that could reshape understanding of the island’s mystery.
Gold in the Wood Sample
The focal point was the XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analysis of a wood sample gathered from the Money Pit.
This wasn’t just any wood — it had witnessed the island’s hidden past.
A Stunning Revelation
The wood contained iron, manganese, titanium, calcium, potassium, and aluminum.
But the real surprise? Gold.
Approximately 0.04% by weight — enough to suggest contact with significant quantities of gold.
Implications of Gold
The presence of gold hinted that the wood may have been part of a treasure-holding structure.
It suggested that the legends might have real truth behind them — that Oak Island was a hiding place for something of great value.
A Double-Edged Sword
The gold was a double-edged sword. A beacon — and a warning.
It raised the stakes and reminded the team that the island guards its secrets fiercely.
