'The Curse of Oak Island' Season 11: Myths and facts about Oak Island ahead of season premiere
NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA: 'The Curse of Oak Island' Season 11 is all set to make its debut on Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at 9 pm ET on History Channel.
For the unversed, the show revolves around a diverse team of treasure hunters, including brothers Rick and Marty Lagina, as they search for the legendary treasure on the Oak Island, which is located on the south shore of the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia, Canada.
In the show, the audience will get to learn more about the history, theories, recent discoveries, and mysteries of the famed Oak Island as the treasure hunters continue to look for historical artifacts and treasures.
The curse of Oak Island says that seven men must die before the island reveals its treasure. It continues to be one of the longest treasure hunts to date. Read on to learn more about the myths and facts about the Oak Island.
Myth: Is there a big treasure buried under Oak Island?
Fact: Since the 19th century, the explorers have been trying their best to get a hold of a big treasure buried under the popular island. Over the years, the hunters have come across many historical artifacts and items but they still haven't managed to locate the big treasure buried there. These items can be seen as treasures in their own right but no significant treasure has been ever obtained by the hunters.
Myth: Are Marie Antoinette's crown jewels buried under Oak Island?
Fact: Marie Antoninette's crown jewels can be among the treasure buried under Oak Island. As per the 'Archaeology and Metal Detecting' magazine, her jewelry went missing in the 1700s and many that they made their way to Oak Island. It has been stated that the French queen handed over jewels to her lady-in-waiting during the French Revolution. As per some accounts, the lady flew to Novo Scotia soon after.
Myth: Have people died while looking for treasure on Oak Island?
Fact: As of now, a total of six people have died while looking for treasure on Oak Island. Those six people are as follows: Carl Graeser, Cyril Hitz, Robert Restall Sr, Robert Restall Jr, Maynard Kaiser, and an unknown treasure hunter who died in the 1960s. Kaiser died after falling into an excavation pit. The unknown worker died after a mechanical pump exploded.
Graeser, Hitz, and the Restalls all died on the same day in August 1965. On the other hand, when we talk about Robert Restall Sr, he made his way into a mining shaft and he was unaware of the fact that it was dug into a pocket of poisonous natural gas. His son tried to save him but he lost consciousness. Hitz, Graeser, and another worker named Andy DeMont also went down the shaft to save him but only DeMont made it out alive.
Myth: Is William Phips' theory about Oak Island true?
Fact: William Phips was a successful 17th-century explorer. At that point, his trips were funded by the English. In 1985, King James II came into power. He was disliked by the majority of people, including leaders and aristocrats. Around the same time, an enemy of the Catholic king flew to Holland and managed to convince King William III of the Netherlands to team up with the English to dethrone King James II.
However, King William III needed money for this. That's where Phips and the treasure entered the picture. In one of his previous expeditions, he found a Spanish shipwreck packed with treasure. At that point, he and his team recovered around $4 million in today’s currency. Then, he went on another expedition. King James II was successfully overthrown in 1688.
Phips and his team went to hide the rest of the treasure for safe keeping on Oak Island. His crew dug the infamous Money Pit. As per reports, while digging, an underground cavern gave away, as a result of which the pit got flooded with water. The treasure was left in a precarious and unretrievable state. They sealed the Money Pit and informed England about the problem. Many squads were sent to the island to recover the treasure but they couldn't retrieve it.
Myth: Is pirate treasure buried under Oak Island?
Fact: Till this moment, the pirate treasure is one of the most discussed Oak Island theories. Many people think that the 17th-century pirate Captain Kidd buried his treasure on the island. It is said that one of the captain's dying crew members claimed $2 million in treasure and it was on the island. In the 19th century, the explorers discovered a stone that had the words “Forty feet below, two million pounds lie buried” engraved on it.
'The Curse of Oak Island' Season 11 drops on November 7 at 9 pm ET on History.