Secret Treasure of Oak Island: The Amazing True Story of a Centuries-Old Treasure Hunt

by D'Arcy O'Connor

Overview

It started on a summer afternoon in 1795 when a young man named Daniel McGinnis found what appeared to be an old site on an island off the Acadian coast, a coastline fabled for the skullduggery of pirates. The notorious Captain Kidd was rumored to have left part of his treasure somewhere along here, and as McGinnis and two friends started to dig, they found what turned out to be an elaborately engineered shaft constructed of oak logs, nonindigenous coconut mats, and landfill that came to be known as the Money Pit.
Ever since that summer day in 1795, the possibility of what might be hidden in the depths of a small island off the south coast of Nova Scotia, Canada, has made it the site of the world's longest, most expensive, and most perplexing treasure hunt. Author D'Arcy O'Connor recounts the fascinating stories and amazing discoveries of past and current treasure seekers who have sought Oak Island's fabled treasure for over two hundred years. It has baffled scientists and madmen, scholars and idiots, millionaires and get-rich-quick schemers, psychics, engineers, charlatans, and even a former president of the United States. The island has consumed the fortunes-and in some cases, the lives-of those who have obsessively set out to unlock its secret. Despite all their efforts, the mystery remains unsolved, and not a single dime of treasure has ever been recovered.
The present-day search is an archaeological dig exceeding anything ever done anywhere for similar purposes, and it may well result in the discovery of one of the world's richest and most historically significant treasures. But this is also the story of individuals who have dedicated years of their lives to discover what was buried long ago beneath this strange island. They are driven by a lust for gold, by archaeological curiosity, and by their determination to outwit the engineer who was responsible for the Oak Island enigma.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781493037001
Publisher:	Rowman & Littlefield Publishers, Inc.
Publication date:	08/24/2018
Edition description:	Updated Edition
Pages:	312
Sales rank:	437,541
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

D'Arcy O'Connor, a former feature writer for The Wall Street Journal, is a round-the-world sailor, and a continuing freelancer and documentary film-maker. Apart from the Journal, he has contributed to publications such as People, National Geographic, and Yachting magazines. He now lives in Montreal.

Table of Contents

Preface xi

Chapter 1 An Enigma Is Born 1

Chapter 2 The Mystery Deepens 9

Chapter 3 The Trap Is Uncovered 17

Chapter 4 The Money Pit Collapses 25

Chapter 5 The Kidd Connection 33

Chapter 6 A Vault Is Discovered 45

Chapter 7 The Search Continues 59

Chapter 8 New Theories Arise 69

Chapter 9 A Strange Map Appears 83

Chapter 10 The Baconian Connection 97

Chapter 11 Exploring New Depths 107

Chapter 12 Diviners, Psychics, and Weirdos 115

Chapter 13 Dying for Treasure 133

Chapter 14 The Ghosts of Oak Island 145

Chapter 15 The Mayor of Oak Island 155

Chapter 16 Is There a Treasure? 167

Chapter 17 Borehole 10-X 183

Chapter 18 The Lawyers Hit Pay Dirt 201

Chapter 19 The End of a Millennium and Partnership 211

Chapter 20 Who Owns Oak Island and Who Can Dig for Treasure? 215

Chapter 21 New Partners, Big Bucks, and a Hit TV Show 221

Chapter 22 The Possible Spanish Connection 237

Bibliography 255

Index 261

About the Author 281

Editorial Reviews

The Secret Treasure of Oak Island is a testament to D'Arcy's continuing passion and commitment towards revealing the truths of the Oak Island mystery. A great read.

Rick Lagina

"Staggering."—Kirkus Reviews

"Exhaustive and intriguing."—Publishers Weekly

"A splendid reportorial job."—Business Week

"A highly readable volume. .. the story builds from the first page to the last."—Christian Science Monitor

From the Publisher