Rick Lagina, Gary Drayton, Alex Lagina, and Billy Gerhardt Uncover Artifacts and Timbers in Oak Island Swamp | S11E9

In The Curse of Oak Island Season 11, Episode 9, titled “Filling Cavities,” which aired on January 9, 2024, Rick and Alex Lagina, joined by metal detection expert Gary Drayton and heavy machinery operator Billy Gerhardt, begin excavation work along the south shore of the swamp. With over three million gallons of water recently pumped out, the team returns to the stone road, eager to dig deeper and investigate its purpose and origins.

As Billy begins digging just past the visible edge of the stone road, Gary scans the area with his detector while Rick and Alex observe. Within moments, Rick notices something sticking out of the earth—a wooden dowel that reminds him of those found in the U-shaped structure unearthed at Smith’s Cove in 2018. As more timbers are revealed, Rick suspects they may have discovered another engineered feature constructed with similar techniques.

The wooden structure exhibits distinct traits: dowels, a visible log, and pegged joinery. The team is reminded of the Smith’s Cove find, which not only featured similar construction but was also marked with Roman numerals—one of which, a “VII,” was mirrored on a musket artifact found just weeks earlier on Lot 5.

As Gary continues scanning the excavation spoils, his detector alerts to multiple metallic signals. The team recovers a hand-forged iron chain, which Gary notes could be centuries old. Gary speculates it may have been used to unload heavy cargo—possibly even treasure—from a ship, using the stone road as a landing route.

Soon after, Gary uncovers a crude iron hook, reinforcing the theory that heavy materials were once transferred in this exact area. Excited by the find, Alex remarks that these artifacts suggest both the magnitude of labor involved and the strategic importance of the swamp in the larger Oak Island mystery.

While they stop short of declaring it a breakthrough, the discoveries are promising. The parallels with the Smith’s Cove structure hint at a broader engineering effort—possibly linked to the original treasure deposit operations. The swamp, long suspected of harboring secrets, may finally be revealing part of its story.

Key Artifacts Recovered in This Episode

• Wooden Dowel – Recovered from the swamp excavation near the stone road. Resembles the construction techniques seen in the 2018 U-shaped structure at Smith’s Cove. Its shape, placement, and joinery suggest deliberate engineering.
• Hand-Forged Iron Chain – Discovered by Gary Drayton during metal detection. The chain appears to be hand-crafted and aged, potentially predating modern forges. Its possible use: unloading heavy cargo from a ship.
• Crude Iron Hook – Found shortly after the chain, also by Gary Drayton. Its design and weathering indicate considerable age. Likely used in conjunction with the chain for hauling or lifting substantial weight.

Cast Highlighted in This Episode

• Rick Lagina – Oversees excavation and links new timber find to the U-shaped structure
• Alex Lagina – Assists in artifact recovery and interpretation
• Gary Drayton – Detects and identifies iron chain and hook artifacts
• Billy Gerhardt – Leads swamp excavation operations