Rick, Gary, Jack, and Steve Uncover 17th-Century Tunnel Beneath Oak Island Garden Shaft S11E17

In The Curse of Oak Island Season 11 Episode 17, titled “Piling On” and aired on March 5, 2024, Rick and Marty Lagina descend into the Garden Shaft following confirmation that a significant portion of the long-sought tunnel has been exposed at a depth of approximately 100 feet. This moment marks one of the most hands-on and historically rich scenes in recent seasons.

Descending to History: Tunnel Exposure at 100 Feet

Rick Lagina descends the shaft to examine a collection of large, rounded timbers—none of which are identical. The structural variation and craftsmanship suggest the tunnel is of historical origin. The team links this exposure to earlier carbon dating results from 2023 that placed samples from the tunnel in the 17th century.

Rick emphasizes the significance: this is not theory—this is real. As more of the tunnel becomes visible, the team prepares to remove key beams for further analysis. Rick calls this moment potentially “pivotal,” especially if the woodwork proves to be part of an original depositor’s design.

Artifact Search and Metal Detection

Gary Drayton joins the scene to conduct a sweep of the tunnel with his detector. Using pinpointing methods, he recovers two unusual metal objects from the debris:

• One fragment that may be linked to tunnel construction
• A second piece, oddly shaped and not consistent with known searcher tools

Both artifacts are bagged for lab analysis. Gary hopes that Emma Culligan’s metallurgical expertise will provide further insight into origin and usage.

Scientific Survey and Structural Interpretation

Surveyor Steve Guptill arrives to map the tunnel’s dimensions and establish control points for projecting its direction. For the first time, the team stands on the structure itself, allowing Steve to gather high-confidence measurements that will help align the tunnel’s trajectory toward the “Baby Blob”—the target zone for future horizontal drilling.

Rick and Marty examine one timber in particular. Its edges bear the marks of an adze, a pre-industrial cutting tool dating back centuries and often used in shipbuilding. This detail may help determine the time period and cultural origin of the tunnel’s builders.

Forward Strategy: Drilling and Verification

At this stage in the segment, the team begins planning a horizontal probe drilling operation into the tunnel’s sidewall. The goal: locate the source of previously detected precious metal traces, including silver and gold, in nearby soil samples.

Rick reflects on the emotional impact of the discovery, calling it “a real aha moment” after years of struggle and setbacks. Alex adds, “This has more going for it than anything else so far,” recognizing the tunnel’s significance among past finds. Jack offers a hopeful outlook: “I mean this could lead right to the treasure—we don’t know yet.” Meanwhile, Gary tests a timber’s durability and jokes, “Let’s see if it’s sturdy enough for a gold dance.”