Rick and Gary Uncover Massive Wooden Ramp Structure in the Swamp (Season 12, Episode 8)

In Season 12, Episode 8 of The Curse of Oak Island, titled “A Bead on the Target” and aired January 14, 2025, Rick Lagina leads the team into another high-stakes excavation—this time deep in the swamp’s northern region. Accompanied by Alex Lagina, Gary Drayton, and Billy Gerhardt, the group targets a site near the mysterious cobblestone pathway where prior scans suggested significant anomalies.

As excavation begins, Gary’s metal detection reveals a promising area that smells—both literally and figuratively—of treasure. What starts as scattered logs and rocks soon develops into something more structured. Multiple logs positioned both lengthwise and crosswise emerge beneath layers of soil, cobble, and root. Rick quickly identifies a dual-log configuration: horizontal “carry logs” supporting perpendicular “platform logs,” an architecture built to support heavy weight.

Alex notes that the cobblestones resemble those from the paved area found in previous seasons—an unusual material not native to the nearby beach. The discovery prompts a cautious pause: Rick wants fellow landowner Tom Nolan’s input before proceeding further. When Tom arrives, he confirms the logs are not part of their family’s past work, which elevates the significance of the find.

Later joined by archaeologist Laird Niven and geoscientist Dr. Ian Spooner, the team examines the dimensions and alignment of the ramp. Rick theorizes it may have functioned as a platform or ramp built for transporting massive loads—too sophisticated for simple access, and clearly engineered with purpose. Ian observes that it stretches toward land, potentially connecting to the Eye of the Swamp.

The Eye of the Swamp—a man-made boulder formation discovered in 2019 and studied by Dr. Spooner—was previously dated to the late 1600s through organic samples. If the wooden ramp aligns with this same construction period, the implications are profound. It could reinforce the theory that Sir William Phips, acting on behalf of the English Crown in 1687, may have used Oak Island as a depository for treasure salvaged from the Spanish galleon Concepción.

The episode ends with the team preparing to send the platform logs for dating analysis. If the timeline holds, this structure could be the first direct physical link between the swamp’s “All-Seeing Eye” and the Phips treasure theory—marking a major breakthrough in the centuries-old mystery.

Cast Featured: Rick Lagina, Gary Drayton, Alex Lagina, Billy Gerhardt, Tom Nolan, Laird Niven, Dr. Ian Spooner, Marty Lagina