Oak Island - A Different Perspective

[Freelancer]

Long ago, I stumbled upon a peculiar tale about a small island said to contain an enigmatic pit known as "The Money Pit." According to the story, this pit was rumored to be the final resting place of a buried treasure, lying deep beneath its depths. Like most who encounter this narrative for the first time, my imagination was instantly captured by the tantalizing prospect of uncovering a long-lost fortune.

The allure of this mythical treasure was further kindled by numerous accounts of individuals who had become consumed by the pursuit, dedicating their time, resources, and even fortunes to the relentless excavation of the Money Pit. These tales painted vivid pictures of determined souls, tirelessly digging and delving into the earth, driven by an unwavering belief that immeasurable riches awaited them at the bottom of this mysterious shaft.

The notion of a hidden cache of untold wealth, buried centuries ago and guarded by the island's secrets, ignited a sense of adventure and intrigue within me. I found myself captivated by the idea of potentially uncovering a forgotten piece of history, a treasure trove that had eluded countless others before me.

As the stories unfolded, detailing the obstacles and setbacks faced by the intrepid treasure hunters, my curiosity only grew stronger. Each account seemed to add another layer of mystique to the legend, fueling the belief that beneath the island's surface lay a prize of extraordinary value, waiting to be claimed by those daring and persistent enough to unravel the enigma of the Money Pit.


In 2008, the enchanting spell of buried treasure on Oak Island, which had captivated me for so long, began to fade away. I started to perceive 'The Money Pit' for what it truly was, rather than what we had imagined it to be. That year, two unrelated events occurred almost simultaneously, and they suddenly made perfect sense to me.


The first event was the purchase of a large freshwater fish tank, and the second was when I googled information on a Fluval Filtration System for my new aquarium. Somehow, possibly due to my tendency to get easily distracted, I ended up clicking on a web link about the Money Pit. As I re-read the familiar story, something clicked.

I came across the familiar diagram of The Money Pit, which I had seen countless times before, and it dawned on me that what I was looking at was not a pit designed to protect buried treasure but rather, a prototype of an abandoned scientific project.

This is my hypothesis:

The Money Pit was, although all traces of its physical existence are now destroyed, an attempt to build a Water Filtration System based on the knowledge and technology of that era. It was constructed by skilled engineers attached to the French Navy as a secret, experimental water filtration system. Perhaps records or documents of its construction may still exist in some military archive, such as the Archives Nationales d'Outre-Mer (ANOM) in Paris or at the Ministry of Defence, housed in Vincennes, France.
Prior to the discovery of 'The Money Pit,' the French presence in that part of the world was quite strong:

Early French Settlements:

In 1604, Pierre Dugua, Sieur de Mons, along with Samuel de Champlain and others, established a settlement at Île-Saint-Croix.
Due to a harsh winter and scurvy, they relocated in 1605 to what is now Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia, then called Port-Royal.


This settlement became the first permanent European settlement in the future Canada (and the first north of Florida) and was known as Acadia.

French Control and Trade Routes:

The French established Port Royal (modern-day Annapolis Royal) as the capital of Acadia. For the next seventy-five years, Port Royal was virtually the only European settlement in Nova Scotia. French control extended to other areas, including Cape Breton Island (Île Royale) and Prince Edward Island (St. John's Island).


The French maintained trade routes along the coast, connecting Acadia to other French colonies and territories.


Prior to the discovery of the Money Pit, the French had a significant presence in Nova Scotia, with the settlement of Port Royal serving as a central hub for trade and colonization activities. The French influence played a crucial role in shaping the region's early history and interactions with the indigenous peoples.

Given their extensive colonial operations in the area, the French would have had access to skilled engineers and a disciplined workforce, such as Navy personnel, capable of undertaking complex engineering projects.


Constructing a sophisticated water filtration system, like the one speculated to have existed in the Money Pit, would have been a substantial undertaking, requiring substantial resources.

Such a project would have necessitated a significant investment in equipment, food supplies, and logistics to support and sustain the workforce over an extended period, potentially spanning several months or more.


Additionally, the project would have required a considerable financial commitment to cover the costs associated with an endeavor of this magnitude.


A few Examples of using Water Filtration:

There are a few historical examples and records from the 16th-17th centuries that document the use of rudimentary filtration systems by military encampments to make nearby water sources potable before fully establishing a base:

Spanish Conquistadors in the Americas:
During the Spanish conquest of the Americas in the 16th century, some accounts mention the conquistadors using simple filtration methods with sand, gravel and cloths to filter water from streams and rivers as they set up temporary camps on their expeditions before establishing more permanent settlements.

English Colonization Efforts:
In the early 17th century English efforts to establish colonies in Virginia and New England, there are some first-hand accounts that describe soldiers and settlers using layered gravel/sand filters to purify water from nearby sources when first arriving and setting up encampments before constructing more permanent facilities.

Thirty Years' War (1618-1648):
During this prolonged military conflict in Europe, there are a few references in chronicles and soldiers' journals to the improvised use of sand/gravel filters by various armies when making encampments along rivers to try to make the water safer for drinking.

English Civil War (1642-1651):
Similarly, in accounts from this war, there are descriptions of the Parliamentarian and Royalist forces sometimes using makeshift gravel/charcoal filters at field encampments near water sources.

While the historical documentary evidence is somewhat limited, these examples illustrate that the basic principles of using gravel, sand and charcoal as a rudimentary filtration method was known and employed by military groups when first arriving at a site before more robust facilities could be built. Ensuring access to clean water was crucial for encampments.


The concept of a water filtration system draws parallels to the basic principles employed in maintaining and purifying the water in aquariums for freshwater fish. Just as aquarium hobbyists understand the need for a well-designed filtration system to ensure the health and well-being of their fish, a similar approach would have been necessary to create a reliable and effective water filtration system for the proposed purpose of the Money Pit.

The basic ingredients for a water filtration system in freshwater aquariums are:

Mechanical Filtration:

Purpose: Removes large debris and particles from the water.
Components:

Filter Sponge/Pads:



These capture solid particles like uneaten food, fish waste, and plant debris.
Filter Floss: Fine synthetic fibers that trap tiny particles.

Importance: Prevents clogging of other filter media and keeps the water clear.


Chemical Filtration:

Purpose: Removes dissolved impurities, odors, and discoloration.
Components:

Activated Carbon: Adsorbs organic compounds, chemicals, and toxins.
Ion Exchange Resins: Remove specific ions (e.g., ammonia, nitrate, phosphate).

Importance: Enhances water clarity and quality.

Biological Filtration:

Purpose: Establishes beneficial bacteria colonies to break down ammonia and nitrite.


Components: Biofilter Media: Porous materials (ceramic rings, bio balls, lava rock) provide surface area for bacterial growth.

Importance: Vital for the nitrogen cycle and maintaining stable water parameters.

Substrate and Live Plants:

Purpose: Beneficial bacteria colonize the substrate and plant roots, aiding in biological filtration.


Importance: Creates a natural ecosystem and supports plant growth.


Water Movement and Aeration:

Purpose: Ensures oxygen exchange, prevents stagnant areas, and distributes nutrients.


Components: Air Stones or Air Pumps: Create bubbles and improve oxygen levels.

Water Circulation Pumps: Enhance water flow.

Importance: Vital for fish health and overall tank balance.


In the case of 'The Money Pit,' what do we find that supports my theory that the Money Pit was an early prototype of a Water Filtration system?

Charcoal:

Charcoal has adsorptive properties and can remove impurities from water.
It likely played a role in filtering out contaminants.

Coconut Fibers:

Coconut fibers act as a natural filter medium.
They can trap particles and improve water clarity.


Soil and Stones:

Stones could serve as additional filtration layers.
The wooden logs separating these layers would prevent mixing.


Natural Tides:

The natural high and low tides if this actually drives the water in and out of the money pit would help circulate water into the pit.

This movement of water would prevent stagnation and promotes oxygen exchange.


Continued on the next Post....

[Freelancer]

As we examine the evidence, all the necessary components for a water filtration system appear to be present at the site known as the Money Pit.




The likelihood of this being a mere coincidence seems highly improbable, given the overall structure of the pit and the specific observations made by early explorers regarding the distinct layers encountered during their excavations, before the site was extensively disturbed.

If we consider the Money Pit as a site intended for concealing buried treasure, we must apply logical reasoning to comprehend its purpose.


Typically, when treasure is buried, the intention is to retrieve it later, using comparable technologies and tools as those used for it's concealment. If simple tools like shovels were employed to bury the loot, one could reasonably expect to use similar tools for its eventual recovery.

The creators of the Money Pit would not have foreseen the necessity for steam engines or modern earth-moving machinery to recover their buried cache. Regardless of the safeguards or traps implemented to protect the treasure, the creators would have possesed the required knowledge to deactivate or bypass them, enabling retrieval of the contents within a practical timeframe.

Despite the use of modern excavation techniques and equipment, no tangible evidence of the purported treasure has ever been found at the Money Pit site. If the objective was never to retrieve the treasure, then simply discarding it overboard into the Atlantic Ocean would have been a far easier and more secure method of permanently hiding it.

The existence of a sophisticated water filtration system at the Money Pit site suggests a more complex purpose than merely concealing treasure. Such an intricate system implies a long-term plan, involving the need for a sustainable source of fresh water over an extended period such as the establishment of a port or, colonly at Oak Island.

Finally...

The exploration of Oak Island's enigmatic past has been an enthralling journey, made richer by the insightful contributions of the esteemed posters who have generously shared their knowledge on this subject. Their dedication to unearthing the island's captivating narratives is truly commendable. The breadth of historical information they have imparted has not only deepened our understanding but has also kindled an insatiable curiosity to unravel the remaining mysteries that Oak Island has yet to reveal. I'm looking at you Samuel Ball (1765-1846).

To all those who have so graciously shared their knowledge, your efforts have not gone unnoticed nor unappreciated. Each post has been a cherished gift, stitching together the rich tapestry of Oak Island's history. It is through your collective passion and commitment that this extraordinary tale continues to unfold, beckoning us to embrace the thrill of discovery with each turn of the page.



Mark Wallis /Freelancer