Are Lagina brothers planning 'big dig' in Money Pit area? 'The Curse of Oak Island' team tries to excavate a route to the possible Chappell Vault
NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA: 'The Curse of Oak Island' returned with a new episode on January 30, featuring the guys planning a "big dig" to uncover a potential Chappell Vault. In Season 11, Episode 12, titled "Digging Back In," viewers saw the team persistently digging underground in their quest for the elusive vault. During the episode, geologist Terry Matheson expressed his belief that the drilling drill was directly above the Chappell Vault. The Muon Tomography study had identified a probable object or void around 180 feet below, aligning with an obstacle detected six years earlier with a massive caisson.
The team is thrilled about the potential vault below and is determined to go to great lengths to uncover it. In the recent episode, the borehole drill crew extracted a sizable piece of steel, leading Marty Lagina to playfully suggest, "That could be the drill that found the famous Chappell Vault." While this possibility is highly unlikely, Marty's lighthearted smile hinted at the jest. Yet, the unpredictability of their discoveries in a new exploration field adds an element of intrigue. Regardless, Marty has already given the green light for the use of substantial caissons in the future, not just for excavating Aladdin's Cave but potentially for this new feature as well. It seems a significant dig is on the horizon!
Borehole drilling and Muon technology suggest they've located the Chappell Vault
In earlier episodes, the drill squad encountered a void at 183 feet. Muon technology identified this hole as likely "encapsulating the Chappell Vault," a consensus reached by Terry and surveyor Steve Guptill. Terry speculates that this mysterious object, possibly the Chappell Vault, is currently situated above their borehole drill. Marty had previously opted for caissons to fully excavate Aladdin's Cave, and caissons resurfaced in connection to this new site.
As a result, viewers can anticipate an imminent significant excavation. While the team has never explored below 180 feet in this area before, they now possess clear data, making the prospect of a substantial dig highly probable.
What is underneath the Chappell Vault?
The Chappell Vault, named after William Chappell's 1930s dig, where he uncovered intriguing antiquities, has an uncertain location on the island, though it's believed to be near the Money Pit.
Fans, like Reddit user @SeaWaltz4653, have speculated on its location and depth. Reddit member @Nates94 conducted their investigation, revealing, "The Chappell vault was found 153 feet under the Chappell shaft. From the account I have read from his son that was written in the 1970s he believed the drill may have gone off course in an unknown direction. In 1931 the Chappell shaft was dug where the drill rig had been set up in 1897. Not much was found. ... The Chappell family was convinced there was something underground. I wish the show would give this kind of history."
Some fans questioned how a drill could deviate significantly and wondered if anything new could be uncovered. At present, the "vault" is more of a title than a confirmed site. However, these uncertainties don't deter the Oak Island Fellowship, determined to explore whether Oak Island holds hidden treasures.
Who is William Chappell?
William Chappell conducted an inquiry on Oak Island in the 1930s, unearthing items like an axe, anchor fluke, and pick. Mel Chappell assumed control of the pursuit in the 1950s.
'The Curse of Oak Island'Season 11 airs on Tuesdays at 9/8c on History.