Rick and Marty Lagina Lead the Oak Island Team in Barrel Stave Discovery – Season 20 Episode 19 Recap

In “Barreling Forward,” Season 20, Episode 19 of The Curse of Oak Island, a sense of renewed hope propels the fellowship as they continue excavations near the historic Money Pit. Guided by both historical records and physical clues, Rick and Marty Lagina lead the team toward what they believe could be the remnants of Shaft Six—an 1861 tunnel constructed to bypass flood traps and access a long-suspected treasure chamber.

This episode reintroduces the legendary collapse that thwarted the Oak Island Association’s original efforts. The team, reflecting that legacy, opens a new shaft—RP-2—in hopes of uncovering lost relics, or perhaps even a portion of the long-fabled treasure.

Digging RP-2: Strategy and Optimism

Building on promising results from RP-1, including a 17th-century pipe stem and iron artifacts, the team launches RP-2 slightly northeast. The intent is precise: to intersect the old tunnel connecting Shaft Six to the Money Pit without triggering the same disasters that once buried treasure and searchers alike.

As the shaft reaches a depth of 105 feet, anticipation builds. The excavation reveals fragments of large timber, possibly related to early searcher activity. The discovery of adze-cut wood—shaped with an ancient hand tool used before mechanized saws—bolsters hopes that they are closing in on a section of the original structure.

A Barrel Stave Sparks Speculation

Among the recovered items is a curved piece of wood identified by the team as a barrel stave. The sighting immediately evokes the 1861 account in which a worker reportedly fled with the top of a keg during the Money Pit collapse. Such clues suggest the treasure might not have been confined to chests alone but could also have been stored in barrels, a common 18th- and 19th-century practice for transporting coins or valuables.

While the find is modest, it fits the historical narrative remarkably well, reaffirming that the team is digging in the right place.

Encountering Natural Barriers

Momentum slows as the RP-2 caisson encounters a sudden shift in pressure. The drill team notes the cutter teeth are now grinding through harder material—likely undisturbed earth. This “in situ” soil indicates that they may have passed below their target and exited the tunnel zone entirely.

Though the team halts excavation at this shaft, their findings—barrel staves, adze-cut timbers, and positional data—still offer validation of the Shaft Six theory.

From Setback to Strategy

Rather than interpreting the outcome as a loss, Rick emphasizes the value of exclusion. Narrowing the search zone is, in itself, progress. The team agrees to reposition the next caisson over what they now believe to be the most promising section of the tunnel.

There’s no despondency—only resolve. “We just missed it,” Rick reflects, choosing to see RP-2 not as a failure, but as confirmation that they are closing in. Marty supports the plan to go again, affirming the shared belief that the truth lies just one step further.

Cast Members Featured in This Episode

To deliver this episode’s discoveries and discussions, the following Oak Island cast members were actively involved:

• Rick Lagina – Co-lead of the treasure hunt; emotional compass and historical enthusiast.
• Marty Lagina – Co-lead; pragmatic investor and science-driven thinker.
• Gary Drayton – Metal detection expert who helped identify barrel staves and wood.
• Steve Guptill – Surveyor providing key measurements and tunnel coordinates.
• Terry Matheson – Geologist interpreting core samples and shaft composition.
• Alex Lagina – Marty’s son; involved in field strategy and recovery.
• Lee Lamb – Operator who monitored and managed excavation machinery.
• Vanessa Lucido – Drill operations specialist ensuring safety and structural analysis.
• Jared Boast – Equipment technician and support for excavation efforts.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next in Episode 20? Read Episode 20 Recap

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What did the Oak Island team find in Episode 19?
They uncovered adze-cut wood, a barrel stave, and significant evidence pointing to Shaft Six’s collapse—but no treasure.

Q: Was treasure discovered in RP-2?
No, the team believes they may have narrowly missed the target zone, prompting plans for a new caisson location.

Q: Who appeared in Season 20 Episode 19 of The Curse of Oak Island?
Rick and Marty Lagina, Gary Drayton, Steve Guptill, Terry Matheson, Alex Lagina, Lee Lamb, Vanessa Lucido, and Jared Boast.

Q: What is the significance of Shaft Six in Oak Island history?
Shaft Six was constructed in 1861 as a strategic bypass to avoid flood tunnels and access the Money Pit from below. Its collapse possibly buried valuable artifacts and timber structures.