References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2022 July 19.

1861

April 3

• The Oak Island Association syndicate is formed, based on the Truro syndicate. Included are Adam Tupper, Jotham McCully, James McNutt, Jefferson McDonald, Samuel Retti, and George Mitchell. They make a deal with land owner Anthony Graves, to give him one-third of any treasure recovered. The company issues 100 shares at $20 each. [4.48] [12.25] (1860 [5.50]) (1863 [7.37])

(month unknown)

• The Oak Island Association resumes the search. The Money Pit is cleared to 88 feet, encountering no water, but they stop when encountering muddy clay. [4.48] [5.50]
• A new shaft (No. 5B) about 25 feet east of the Money Pit is dug, intending to encounter the flood tunnel. They dig down to 120 feet, encounter no water, and abandon the dig. [4.48] [5.50] [12.25]
• Another shaft (No. 6) is dug 18 feet west of Money Pit. At 118 feet, a horizontal tunnel 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide toward the Money Pit is started. At 17 feet toward the main shaft, water and mud again rush in. (A pumping gin is employed, but stopped after three days pumping with no progress in keeping the water out.) [4.50] [5.50] [12.25]
• They try bailing over two days the three shafts using four 70-gallon bucket pumps operated by 63 men and 33 horses. Then a tunnel is dug from the 120 foot shaft (No. 5B), 25 feet away from the Money Pit. As they get close to the main pit, a loud crash is heard, and uncontrollable water rushes in. With the rush of mud comes 3.5 foot oak log worked by man, manilla grass or coconut fibre, bottom of yellow painted barrel or dish, piece of juniper with bark on and cut at each end, spruce slab with mining auger in it. [4.50] [5.51] [12.26] (1863 [7.38])
• The west shaft (No. 5B) is again bailed. Two men go in to a connecting tunnel toward the Money Pit to clear out the mud. Then another big crash is heard, then collapse of timbering within Money Pit, leaving only the upper 30 feet. Now, the bottom is sounded at 102 feet, 14 feet lower than previous base. [4.50] [5.51] [12.27]
• The Oak Island Association raises another $2000. [4.53]

September 30

• The Novascotian publishes an article "The Oak Island Folly". [3.43] [5.206]

(month unknown)

• (Fall) The Oak Island Association sets up a cast-iron pump and steam engine. A boiler of a pump bursts, scalding one man to death and injuring others, the first death recorded since first digging in 1795. Work is halted for the winter. [4.53] [5.51,99] [12.29]

1862

• (Spring) The Oak Island Association digs a shaft (No. 7) close to the west of the Money Pit. It is dug to 107 feet, using a pump to keep it free of water. At 90 feet tools from 1850 Truro work are found; at 100 feet tools of 1804 Onslow Company are found. No sign of the water tunnel is found down to 107 feet. Then the Money Pit is dug and sides cribbed to 103 feet, but pumping cannot keep up with water to dig further. [4.54] [5.52] [7.39] [12.29]
• A new shaft (No. 8) is dug inland from Smith's Cove, down to 50 feet, no flood tunnel found. Tunnels are dug from the bottom in various directions, but encounter no flood tunnel. [4.54] [5.52] [7.39]
• The box drains of Smith's Cove are uncovered and 30-40 feet are removed and packed full of clay. This reduces the water flow into the Money Pit, but the sea soon clears out the clay. [4.55] [5.52] (1863 Spring [12.29])

October 16

• The Liverpool Transcript newspaper of southwest Nova Scotia publishes the first account of the Oak Island dig. Included is a letter by J.B. McCully indicating the pit contained layers of oak timber at 10, 20, and 30 feet. [5.22,205]

1863

• Shaft 9 is dug, 100 feet south-east of the Money Pit, 20 feet south of the assumed line of the flood tunnel. They dig down to 120 feet, then dig toward Smith's Cove in search of the flood tunnel. Another tunnel is dug toward the Money Pit, reaching it at the 108 foot level. The Money Pit is cribbed to 108 feet, and tunnels are dug from that level in search of treasure. [1.196] [4.54] [5.52] [7.39]

August 24

• The Nova Scotian newspaper reports operations resumed on Money Pit pumping. [12.30]

December 20

• Halifax newspaper The Colonist publishes an account of the Oak Island pit. [7.8]
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1864

January 2

• Halifax newspaper The Colonist reports Dan McGinnis found oak logs at 10 feet, then dug 15 feet more. [4.198] [5.20] [7.11,29] [12.3]

January 7

• Halifax newspaper The Colonist publishes the writing of December 22 by a member of the Truro Company. [5.20] [7.23]

1865

• The stone slab with encrypted message is removed from John Smith's fireplace, and placed in the window of bookbinder A&H Creighton in Halifax, Nova Scotia. The stone is exhibited there to help sell shares in a treasure seeking company. [4.20] [7.18] [12.11] (1864 [3.30])

1866

March

• The Oak Island Association assigns rights on the island to the Oak Island Eldorado Company (later called the Halifax Company). [5.52] [7.42]

May 3

• The Oak Island Eldorado Company is formed. President is H.G. Hill, secretary W.J. Vieth, treasurer A.O. Creighton. They sell 200 shares at $20 each. Plan is to build wood and clay dam around Smith's Cove, pump out water, completely cutting off the flood tunnel. [4.56] [7.42]

(month unknown)

• The Oak Island Eldorado Company builds a 375 foot long 12 foot high dam of wood and clay at Smith's Cove. The dam fails to keep water out of the Money Pit, and the sea quickly destroys the dam. [1.195] [4.56] [5.54] [7.43]

November 26

• (to January 7, 1867) The Money Pit is cleared to 108 feet, and continuous pumping keeps the water level low. A drill is set at the 90 foot level. Drilling hits spruce wood at 110 feet. At 128 feet, borings include coconut fiber, wood chips, and charcoal. At 132 feet, oak borings, chips of spruce or poplar, and coconut fiber. At 158-163 feet, all holes hit hard reddish marl natural to the island. [1.195] [5.54] [4.57] [7.43,44]

1867

• Shaft #10, 200 feet south-east of the Money Pit, 175 feet south of the estimated routh of the Flood Tunnel, is dug to 110 feet, then horizontal tunnels are dug to find the Flood Tunnel and to the Money Pit. The entrance of the Flood Tunnel into the Money Pit is found, filled with round stones. The entrance is 2.5 feet wide, 4 feet high, with upward gradient of 22.5 degrees. Its identity is verified with clay dumped into cove, arriving in 30 minutes. [1.196] [4.56] [5.56] [7.45]
• The Oak Island Eldorado Company discontinues operations. [4.57] [5.58] [7.47]

1868

• E.H. Owen of Lunenburg writes about the death by burst boiler in 1861. [12.29]

1870

• The book History of the County of Lunenburg, Nova Scotia is published, written by Judge Mather B. DesBrisay. The book includes the first reliable account of the discovery of the money pit on Oak Island. [7.6]

1878

• (Spring) Sophia Sellers (daughter of Anthony Graves) plows a field on Lot 19, between the Money Pit (350 feet east of it) and Smith's Cove. Her oxen team falls in a well-like hole as the ground collapses, 15-18 feet deep, 6-8 feet across. This becomes known as the Sink Hole or Cave-in Pit. [1.196] [4.59] [5.58] [7.73]

1885

• A boatswain's whistle of ancient design, made of bone or ivory, is found in the soil below high tide on the shore of Smith's Cove. [4.60] [5.58] [7.73]

1887

• Anthony Graves dies. His daughters Sophia (married to Henry Sellers of Chester Basin) and Rachel (married to Abraham Ernst of Mahone) inherit his property. [4.61] [5.58] [7.73]

1890

• (approximate year) A copper coin weighing 1.5 ounces is discovered on the island, dated 1317 or 1713. [3.53] [4.60]

1893

• Frederick Blair and S.C. Fraser form the Oak Island Treasure Company. The company is incorporated in State of Maine. President A.M. Bridgman, treasurer H.C. Tupper, and directors George Houghton and C.C.L. Moore. The company leases the land of Oak Island for three years for $30,000, with the rights to everything recovered. The company issues $60,000 of shares at $5 per share. [1.196] [4.60] [5.59] [7.74]

December 26

• The Boston Traveller publishes a story by J. Edward Wilson. Wilson claims that in 1866 he received a map, found in 1826, of treasure on an unnamed island on the south-east coast of Nova Scotia. He says a shaft was dug by an oak tree, with a tunnel at the bottom of the shaft leading to sea level. The shaft was filled with no treasure. Instead the treasure was buried a certain distance away only 20 feet below the surface. [4.98]

1894

January 3

• The Halifax Evening Mail also publishes the article by J. Edward Wilson. [4.98]

June

• The Halifax Chronicle-Herald newspaper runs an article noting two workers barely escaped death from rocks falling on their heads when a hoist drops a load down a shaft. [4.65]

(month unknown)

• (Summer) Frederick Blair and company excavate the Cave-in Pit (shaft 11) down to 52-55 feet, noting the original pit was 6-8 feet diameter with pick marks on walls, and loose fill. Salt water is encountered, and can not be kept pumped out; they conclude it is connected to the flood tunnel, likely as an air shaft for ventilation while digging the 520-foot tunnel. [1.196] [4.62] [5.59] [7.78]
• A new shaft, number 12, is started 30 feet east of the Money Pit, 8 feet north of the presumed flood tunnel. At 55 feet down, they dig a horizontal tunnel south for 20 feet, then up to within 24 feet of the surface. The flood tunnel is not found (later known to be 40-50 feet deeper). [4.63] [5.59] [7.79]

December 26

• The Traveller of Boston, Massachusetts reports of a plan found 50 years ago of an island off Nova Scotia with treasure buried 20 feet under surface, a certain distance from an oak tree where a deep shaft had been dug. [7.132]

1895

April 2

• The Oak Island Treasure Company holds a meeting at Truro, Nova Scotia, appointing A.S. Lowden general manager for the coming summer (May to September). They are unable to raise money for a pump. [4.63] [7.80]

(month unknown)

• Mining engineer Adams A. Tupper (or A.S. Lowden) directs a direct assault on the Money Pit, but they erroneously excavate Shaft 3, 10 feet northwest of the main pit. Digging gets down to 55 feet, then pumping cannot keep up with water. [4.63] [5.60]

June 19

• Samuel C. Fraser, member of OIA executive committee, writes to A.S. Louden, manager of an Oak Island syndicate, about his work in 1866 as foreman. He documents the 1861 pit collapse, and gives a theory of some treasure at 155 feet. [3.51] [12.28]

(month unknown)

• Record Publishing Company publishes The Story of Oak Island, partly written by Adams Tupper in November 1893 about the Oak Island Treasure Company, and history of the Money Pit from 1795 to date. [5.199]

September

• The Honorable J.W. Langley, Attorney-General of Nova Scotia, notifies Frederick Blair that any treasure discovered at Oak Island belongs to the Queen as represented by the Government of Nova Scotia. Arrangement is made to accept a percentage of money value of treasure, with remainder to the finder. [7.97]

November 26

• The Oak Island Treasure Company holds a meeting at Truro, Nova Scotia, appointing a new board of management: manager: T. Perley Putnam, treasurer Frederick Blair, George Fullereton, W.H. McDonald, William Chappell, and director of operations Captain John William Welling. $2000 is raised for a pump. [4.64] [7.81]

1896

October

• Work on the Money Pit resumes, pumping it dry, and clearing down to 70 feet. But at this depth, pumping can't handle the water flow. [4.65] [7.81]

(month unknown)

• The 75-foot shaft of 1850 near Smith's Cove is deepened to 78 feet, but then water rushes in. [4.65]

1897

March

• The Honorable T.R. Black of Amherst informs Frederick Blair that the Government of Nova Scotia would forego royalty on the first $50,000 value of any treasure recovered, then collect 2 percent of the remainder. [7.98]

March 26

• Maynard Kaiser is killed when a hoisting rope slips off a pulley, dropping him down a shaft. [4.65] [5.63,99] [7.82]

(month unknown)

• (Spring) Another shaft, number 13, is started 25 feet north of the Cave-in Pit (shaft 11). At 82 feet, a horizontal tunnel is dug heading south, looking for the flood tunnel, but it is not found. A 4-by-6 foot tunnel of the Halifax Company is encountered. [5.60] [7.82]

April 22

• Digging in the presumed Money Pit gets down to 110 feet, when they find a tunnel dug in 1860s. Following the tunnel leads to the real Money Pit. [4.66] [5.60] [7.83]

June 9

• They clear the Money Pit down to 111 feet, finding a 2.5-foot wide by 4 feet tall opening in the east wall, the flood tunnel. The tunnel is filled with sand, gravel, and beach stones. The sides are perpendicular through solid clay, undoubtedly made by man, sea water flowing through it. In a quantity of sand and gravel is a chip of wood, piece of bark, a bird's bone, all evidence of connection to shore. [4.66] [5.60] [7.83]

June

• Work stops on the main pit, the pump valve fails, and the water level raises back up to sea level. [5.63] [7.83]

(month unknown)

• Water-diviner Chapman from Medford, Massachussetts maps various tunnel positions. [5.63]
• The Oak Island Treasure Company drills to 153 feet, then encounters 7 inches of soft stone, 5 inches of oak, then perhaps soft metal. Drill operator William Chappell finds traces of gold on the drill, but keeps it a secret. [1.171]
• Five small holes, 15 feet apart, along a line 80-95 feet are drilled 50 feet inland from high tide on Smith's Cove. Only the center hole reaches salt water at 80 feet. Each hole is loaded with 50-75 pounds of dynamite, and blown up. No great effect. 160 pounds detonated in the middle hole causes water in the Money Pit and Cave-in Pit to foam and bubble, proving a connection between the Money Pit and the shore. [1.197] [4.66] [5.63] [7.84]
• Captain Welling discovers an equilateral triangle of stones near the high water mark of the south shore, 10 feet on each side, with the base running approximately east-to-west. [4.112] [7.92]
• Assuming the flood tunnel is now clogged from the dynamiting, work commences on the Money Pit. Water is pumped out down to 100 feet, and a platform and drill (2.5-inch drill in 3-inch pipe) are set at the 90 foot level. The first drilling hits oak at 126 feet, for 5 inches, then hits iron, can't drill through it. [1.197] [4.68] [5.65] [7.85]
• The second drill hole is made 1 foot from the first. Drilling gets to 153 feet 8 inches, then hits soft stone or cement, 7 inches thick, then 5 inches solid oak. Then a 1.5-2 inch gap, then through possibly soft metal. Further drilling in this hole encounters (possibly) metal in pieces, then the same undrillable iron near 154 ft. Borings brought up include oak chips, coconut fiber, and other bits that will be examined later (piece of parchment). [1.197] [4.68] [5.65] [7.85]
• The third drill hole strikes wood at 122 feet, then cement at 153 feet. Then the drill runs between wood and cement for 4 feet, and cement alone another 3 feet, then 11 feet of blue puddled clay to a depth of 160 feet. Then an iron barrier is struck at 171 feet. Drilling for 2-3 hours only gets 1/4 inch into the iron. Borings checked with a magnet confirm iron cuttings. [4.68] [5.65] [7.85]
• The fourth hole encounters iron at 166 feet, passes through, then drilling ends at 188 feet in solid clay. [5.65] [7.85]
• The fifth hole encounters cement at 150 feet, continuing for 20 feet, then drilling through clay ends at 175 feet. One hole encounters gushing water at 126 feet, 400 gallons per minute flow rate, suggesting a tunnel to the south shore. [4.68] [5.65] [7.85]
• At the Court House in Amherst, Dr. A.E. Porter studies with a magnifying glass recent borings brought up from drilling. He unrolls a tiny fragment that appears to be parchment with writing, possibly showing "vi", "ui", or "wi". [1.197] [4.68] [7.89]
• Experts in Boston examine the tiny piece of parchment, confirming the material and that it is inscribed with India ink. [1.197] [4.68] [7.89]
• Two samples of the cement material encountered in drilling in the Money Pit are sent for chemical analysis to A. Boake Roberts & Company in London, England. Analysis reports that both are (approximately) 37 percent lime, 33 percent carbonate, 13 percent silica, 10 percent iron and alumina, and 5 percent magnesium. The chemists state that they believe "it is cement which has been worked by man". [4.71] [7.88]

October

• A new shaft (14) is started 40-45 feet south of the Money Pit, with the intention of digging to 175 feet, then tunneling under the iron, and using this shaft to pump out water while digging further in the main pit. At 95-115 feet, salt water breaks in at the 70 foot level from a tunnel dug in the 1860s, preventing further digging. [4.72] [5.73] [7.90]

1898

January

• A new shaft (15) is started 35 feet south-west of the last shaft, 80 feet from the Money Pit, with the same goal of digging under the iron obstacle. At 105 feet a dry tunnel of the Halifax Company is encountered. [4.72] [5.73] [7.90]

April 1

• At 160 feet in shaft 15, salt water through a seam of sand becomes unmanageable. Pumping is useless, and this shaft has to be abandoned. [4.72] [5.73] [7.90]

(month unknown)

• Shaft 16 is dug to 134 feet, then abandoned due to quicksand, unsafe soil, boulders, or inrush of water. [4.72] [7.90]
• Shaft 17 is dug to 95 feet, then abandoned due to quicksand, unsafe soil, boulders, or inrush of water. [4.72] [7.90]

April

• Shaft #18 near the Money Pit is dug down to 160 feet, then water rushes in. Water in the Money Pit initially lowers by 14 feet, indicating the two pits are connected. [4.72] [5.74] [7.90]
• Over three months, tests are made of the water in the shafts. Water is pumped into shaft 18, resulting in muddy water showing up at three widely separated places near low tide of the south shore, but no muddy water at Smith's Cove. Similar results when pumping water or red dye into the Money Pit. [1.197] [4.72] [5.74] [7.91]

June

• Dynamiting a south shore inlet results in muddy water in the Money Pit. [4.72] [5.74] [7.91]

(month unknown)

• Shaft 19 is dug to 144 feet, then abandoned due to quicksand, unsafe soil, boulders, or inrush of water. [4.72] [7.90]

1899

October

• Shaft 20, 5 feet by 8 feet, is excavated beside the Money Pit on the west side. A mass of cribbing is encountered, likely from 1850. By 113 feet, the pumps are overwhelmed by the quantity of water flowing. [1.198] [4.72] [5.75] [7.93]

1900

May

• More drilling in what is believed to be the main shaft is done, to explore the presumed cement chamber. However, this time only gravel, boulders, and clay are encountered in at least 8 borings down to 126 feet. [4.73] [5.75] [7.94]
• Most assets of the Oak Island Treasure Company are sold off. [1.198] [4.73] [7.94]

December

• Frederick Blair buys out shares of many of Oak Island Treasure Company. [5.76] [7.94]

1901

• Another whistle, this one about 3 inches long and shaped like a violin, made of bone or ivory is found on the shore of Smith's Cove. [5.58] [7.74]

1904

July 2

• Frederick Blair's agent Harry F. Black of Amherst applies for and is granted a 40-year lease under the Nova Scotia Mines Act on an area 450 by 500 feet on Oak Island to mine gold and silver, with exclusive right to deal with land owner. [7.98] (1903 [5.76])

1905

December 26

• Harry Black assigns the mining lease on Oak Island to Frederick Blair. [1.198] [7.99]

1641-1860

1861-1908

1909-1959

1960-1972

1973-end