July 27, 2004

The Mystery Pit of Oak Island One can only wonder what would have happened if young Daniel McGinnis had chosen to go exploring somewhere else on that fateful day in the summer of 1795. Some have died. An inscribed stone was lost. Theories abound. But not finding the treasure doesn't mean you can't make money.
posted by dt118 20 years ago
  • Anyone read the Douglas Preston/Lincoln Childs book based on this? I think it was called Riptide... I first heard about this in a National Geographic for Kids magazine, many many years ago. Awesome to remember it again.
  • Yup.
  • A video camera lowered down one borehole into one of these spaces recorded an image that looked like chests and a human hand severed at the wrist. *shudder*
  • Mahone Bay [location of Oak Island] is one of my favourite places in the world. Go check out Oak Island - it's not too touristy and you can camp nearby. Hallowe'en and the leaves turning is the best time. Then you can go to the local (Chester's, by choice) and all the locals will tell you stories of growing up searching, and how Fabian's cousin - what's his name? Raymond? - you know, the one that went down the road Toronto in '72 - well, when he was a kid he and Tommy were out and found something interesting ... As long as you keep buying IPA for them, they'll keep talking. I love Nova Scotia.
  • Aaaw, jinkies, dt118! Dad said we weren't ta go near Oak Island! [ This is good ]
  • Very, very cool. Looks like I have a new obsession.
  • Nice links to Nova Scotia's most far-famed money pit. Thanks dt118. Nova Scotia has an impressive collection of interesting and worthless holes in the ground, some of which have not yet even been dug. Over a century ago, one o' my kinsmen invested heavily in a gold mine over Guysborough way -- tales are still told how his family eventually papered their attic with old stock certificates.
  • Ah, I was living in Halifax for three years and never made it to Oak Island - not for lack of desire, mind you. I totally believe something is down there - this diagram just makes me want to believe. :) [In other words - good post, thanks for the memories, I was just feeling sad about not being in N.S. too...]
  • This presents a skeptical theory about Oak Island, and a quite attractive illustration too (you can always count on Nickell for that). Personally, I am keeping my mind open. We probably haven't heard the last word and in the meantime what a great thing to speculate about. I am a little disappointed someone beat me to writing fiction based on it though. Have any other novels or stories included Oak Island other than Riptide?