Rick Lagina, Alex Lagina, Gary Drayton, and Billy Gerhardt Unearth Centuries-Old Ship Artifacts and Evidence of Wharf Structures in Oak Island Swamp | S11E10 “Chain Reaction”

In The Curse of Oak Island Season 11, Episode 10, titled “Chain Reaction,” which aired on January 16, 2024, Rick and Alex Lagina continue swamp excavations alongside metal detection expert Gary Drayton and heavy machinery operator Billy Gerhardt. Their attention remains on the stone road—a potentially 500-year-old engineering feature believed to be used for unloading cargo.

The team quickly uncovers more sections of old chain—rusted, handmade, and consistent with findings from previous episodes. Gary emphasizes that such chains would have been essential for loading and unloading operations, reinforcing the theory that the swamp may have functioned as a wharf centuries ago.

Soon after, Gary’s detector signals another find. The team recovers an iron spike embedded in a chunk of wood, which Gary identifies as a possible lug ship’s spike or wharf pin dating to the 1700s or earlier. Billy reflects on the discovery, remarking, “This corner of the swamp is the one that keeps on giving.” He suggests the artifact might indicate that it was part of a structure, potentially supporting long-standing theories of buried architecture beneath the area.

Meanwhile, the narrator recalls Fred Nolan’s theory of a dam or manmade feature hidden beneath the south shore road—believed to be part of an effort to create the swamp artificially. The spike and surrounding timbers may be direct evidence of that construction.

The discoveries intensify when Jack Begley joins the effort and helps recover a massive iron fastener, which Gary and Jack speculate could have secured large ship timbers or structural beams. The team bags the artifact and prepares to send it for analysis.

The next day, Carmen Legge, the team’s blacksmithing expert, meets Rick, Craig, and Jack at the Interpretive Centre. Carmen inspects the fastener and notes two handmade nails embedded within it—tools possibly used to hang lanyards or lanterns underground. Carmen dates the fastener between the 1600s and 1700s, supporting the team’s theory of advanced engineering in the swamp.

The final artifact Carmen evaluates is a straight-shafted iron hook. Unlike later models with curved shanks, this design pre-dates 1650, making it one of the oldest pieces recovered from the swamp to date. The implication is profound: centuries-old tools and ship-related parts buried in the swamp align with theories of an intentionally hidden vessel.

Key Artifacts Recovered in This Episode

• Hand-Forged Chain (Additional Links) – Found near the stone road; reinforces cargo-handling theories
• Iron Spike in Wood – Possibly a wharf pin or lug ship’s spike; likely 1700s or earlier
• Massive Iron Fastener – May have held large beams or structures; dated by Carmen Legge to the 1600s–1700s
• Straight-Shafted Iron Hook – Estimated to be older than 1650; distinct from later curved-hook designs

Cast Highlighted in This Episode

• Rick Lagina – Supervises excavation and historical context
• Alex Lagina – Coordinates recovery and artifact interpretation
• Gary Drayton – Leads metal detection and field identification
• Billy Gerhardt – Manages swamp excavation
• Jack Begley – Assists with artifact handling and recovery
• Carmen Legge – Provides blacksmith analysis and dating for key items