Oak Island Money Pit

[gordonrutter]

Just found this
"
Rick and Marty’s net worth

The Lagina bothers’ net worth has grown substantially since the start of production on “The Curse of Oak Island”. When the program originally aired in 2014, Rick had a net worth of $500,000 and Marty a net worth of $2 million. Those amounts grew through the 4 seasons of the show. Rick’s net worth is currently estimated at $2 million, and Marty’s is nearly $100,000."

I'm assuming that latter figure should read $10 000 000
https://www.tvovermind.com/lagina-brothers-10-facts-curse-oak-island-stars/

 

[Min Bannister]

Well it has not really been a curse for them then! Good find.

 

[Bad Bungle]

Just found this
"
Rick and Marty’s net worth

The Lagina bothers’ net worth has grown substantially since the start of production on “The Curse of Oak Island”. When the program originally aired in 2014, Rick had a net worth of $500,000 and Marty a net worth of $2 million. Those amounts grew through the 4 seasons of the show. Rick’s net worth is currently estimated at $2 million, and Marty’s is nearly $100,000."

I'm assuming that latter figure should read $10 000 000
https://www.tvovermind.com/lagina-brothers-10-facts-curse-oak-island-stars/

I read that Marty has sunk $2 million of his own money into the project so far - maybe his worth now really is $100,000.

 

[Mythopoeika]

I read that Marty has sunk $2 million of his own money into the project so far - maybe his worth now really is $100,000.

Yeah, maybe Rick has made money from Marty. Transfer of wealth, etc.

 

[gordonrutter]

I read that Marty has sunk $2 million of his own money into the project so far - maybe his worth now really is $100,000.

I would have thought his three businesses were worth a lot more than that! He has the oil / gas, a vineyard and something to do with a windfarm. Coupled with producers credits on several History Channel shows I reckon he's not worrying about where the next meal is coming from!

 

[gordonrutter]

Looking at the Uk History channel site they have some numbers
https://www.history.co.uk/shows/the...s/the-lagina-brothers-net-worth-biggest-finds

What is the Lagina brother’s net worth?

Rick: Multiple online sources value Rick’s net worth at around $2 million (£1.6 million), the majority of which has been earned since The Curse of Oak Island began back in 2014.
Marty: Before the TV show began, Marty was estimated to have a net worth of around $40-$60 million (£32-47 million). However, the success of the show has led to most estimates growing to as much as $100 million (£79 million).

Marty: Born in Kingsford, Michigan, Marty studied Science and Mechanical Engineering at Michigan Tech. After graduating in 1977, he went on to work for the Amoco Production Company, a major oil firm. Whilst working as an engineer for them he gained a degree in law from the University of Michigan in 1982. He then went on to found his own company, Terra Energy Ltd, which became a pioneer in natural gas extraction. As a result, the company became one of the biggest shale gas operators in Michigan State.
In 1995, Marty sold the company to CMS Energy for around $60m. With the proceeds he purchased shares of Chartwell Properties L.L.C, making him the main shareholder. He also used some of the money to start a new company in 2004 called Heritage Sustainable, a clean energy provider. The company has grown to become one of the largest providers of renewable energy in the State of Michigan and one of the largest wind turbine companies in the Midwest.
Also in the early 2000s he set up another company in Michigan, this time focussed on wine production. What began as a 3-acre winery called Row 7, it has now expanded to become Villa Mari Vineyards, with over 60-acres of vineyards.

 

[Min Bannister]

I would have thought his three businesses were worth a lot more than that! He has the oil / gas, a vineyard and something to do with a windfarm. Coupled with producers credits on several History Channel shows I reckon he's not worrying about where the next meal is coming from!

No. His other businesses must surely be doing well from the publicity. I'd happily try some of Marty's wine. And I bet some of the excavations have not been as expensive as they look given the publicity the drilling companies are getting from it.

 

[Ogdred Weary]

No. His other businesses must surely be doing well from the publicity. I'd happily try some of Marty's wine. And I bet some of the excavations have not been as expensive as they look given the publicity the drilling companies are getting from it.

Yeah, I'd imagine they are getting some stuff for free/cheap because people want to be "part of the show" if not outright publicity. The TV company must be subsidising them as well.

I don't watch it regularly but when I do I find it pretty addictive, all those "Finding Bigfoot/Ghosts/Nessie" programmes are unbearable.

 

[Mr. Banooka]

Could it be? A new season of The Curse of Oak Island starting stateside on 10th November?

Yay!

It seems we are getting Season 8 this year after all; All be it a shorter 10 episode run because of The Covid.

I’m firing up the downloader as we speak.

 

[gordonrutter]

Could it be? A new season of The Curse of Oak Island starting stateside on 10th November?

Yay!

It seems we are getting Season 8 this year after all; All be it a shorter 10 episode run because of The Covid.

I’m firing up the downloader as we speak.

Looking forward to it already!

 

[Analogue Boy]

Impressive. They‘ve massively monetised totally unproductive holes in the ground.

 

[Austin Popper]

Well this is a close enough fit in this thread, I think. One of my old favorites.

 

[Mr. Banooka]

I've started seeing the show as a massively expensive version of Time Team. Saying that, Time Team would probably have found something by now.

 

[Ringo]

I've started seeing the show as a massively expensive version of Time Team. Saying that, Time Team would probably have found something by now.

Well just to play Devil's advocate, they have found lots of of interesting things on the island (coins from a time before anyone was known to be there) and in their bore holes they have found 2 human bones of differing DNA, leather book-binding, parchment and pottery - all at depths which haven't previously been reached by "searchers". So while there is no pot of gold yet, someone at sometime has left things (and dead bodies) down at a very deep depth.

 

[gordonrutter]

Well just to play Devil's advocate, they have found lots of of interesting things on the island (coins from a time before anyone was known to be there) and in their bore holes they have found 2 human bones of differing DNA, leather book-binding, parchment and pottery - all at depths which haven't previously been reached by "searchers". So while there is no pot of gold yet, someone at sometime has left things (and dead bodies) down at a very deep depth.

And also the lead cross is one of the most impressive finds.

 

[Ringo]

And also the lead cross is one of the most impressive finds.

Yes, I'd forgotten about that one. Down on the beach wasn't it. Found by Gary "Bobby Dazzler" Drayton.

 

[gordonrutter]

Yes, I'd forgotten about that one. Down on the beach wasn't it. Found by Gary "Bobby Dazzler" Drayton.

Yes indeed. There is one thing he is unable to find however. And that’s the letter H at the start of a word...

 

[Ringo]

It's a good job the things they are finding aren't 'undreds of years old! Oh wait... I cringe every time. "Oh look! It's an 'inge!"

 

[gordonrutter]

It's a good job the things they are finding aren't 'undreds of years old! Oh wait... I cringe every time. "Oh look! It's an 'inge!"

Yes it does my ‘ead in too. A couple of episodes even the Lagina’s comment on it.

 

[PeteS]

Impressive. They‘ve massively monetised totally unproductive holes in the ground.

I thought I was the only one. Dipped into the programme a few times but nothing ever appears to happen, despite the intervention of "specialists" who get an appearance. Knights Templar was an interesting subject but appears to have been a dead end. I follow these type of programmes but this one leaves me cold. Much more interesting dig 'em up vids on YouTube.

 

[Mr. Banooka]

Well just to play Devil's advocate, they have found lots of of interesting things on the island (coins from a time before anyone was known to be there) and in their bore holes they have found 2 human bones of differing DNA, leather book-binding, parchment and pottery - all at depths which haven't previously been reached by "searchers". So while there is no pot of gold yet, someone at sometime has left things (and dead bodies) down at a very deep depth.

I wasn’t being entirely serious. I have found their finds to be intriguing as they open up more questions than provide answers. It’s been much more an archaeological dig than treasure hunt in recent years and I prefer it for that.

can’t wait.

 

[eziofan]

As an amateur archaeologist I am more than a little suspicious of the lack of clay pipes recovered during the digging. the recent 'archaeological dig' at a supposed pine tar kiln being a case in point. The programme has not mentioned any such finds. The problem may be that these can be dated very precisely and are extremely useful for dating purposes. Unless, of course, the dates don't fit your hypothesis....

 

[Mr. Banooka]

Could it be?

So, I have a lot more to write up about this latest season of Oak Island. It has been the best yet, with some amazing finds. Seems that getting Ian Spooner on board has been the key.

Water samples show an unusually high level of silver. “A truck load” says Dr Spooner. Bizarrely he discovered this by doing his regular job.

Something that they didn’t tell us on the main show; And for some reason they saved for a drilling down episode was this: A piece of worked wood that resembles a ships railing that they uncovered in the swamp has been dated to between 660AD and 770AD! I’m guessing they hadn’t got the dates back before the episode was locked in. Giant coffer dam going into the swamp next season, can’t wait to see what they unearth.

All along Fred Nolan said the answers were in the swamp. What he didn’t say was that it would also ask a lot more questions.

It’s starting to look like, irrelevant of the money pit, that the Island has been important for a very long time.

Having to be more focussed because of covid has really paid off.

 

[Frideswide]

As an amateur archaeologist I am more than a little suspicious of the lack of clay pipes recovered during the digging. the recent 'archaeological dig' at a supposed pine tar kiln being a case in point. The programme has not mentioned any such finds. The problem may be that these can be dated very precisely and are extremely useful for dating purposes. Unless, of course, the dates don't fit your hypothesis....

I missed this when you posted - great point and true!

 

[Mr. Banooka]

On the latest drilling down, the fellowship were showing some doubt on whether it actually is a pine tar kiln now.

I also find it a bit odd that the archaeologist that made the claim hasn’t been seen since.

What I have found interesting is that they have finally started to find more pottery in and around the swamp and cobble road. Or it could be that they have stopped focusing on just metallic and wooden finds.

 

[Frideswide]

A piece of worked wood that resembles a ships railing that they uncovered in the swamp has been dated to between 660AD and 770AD!

If that's an absolute date then SOP needs the name of the lab that processed it.

 

[Nosmo King]

piece of worked wood that resembles a ships railing that they uncovered in the swamp has been dated to between 660AD and 770AD!

So are we talking pre-Viking longship then?

 

[eziofan]

Bit of inside information! There is a podcast called Diggin' Oak Island and I contacted the programme and raised practical issues I have with the supposed archaeological dig at the road in the swamp. The main issue is that this looks like no dig I have ever seen or been involved with! Now it just so happens that the podcaster has connections with Laird Niven, the lead archaeologist on the project. Laird's response was very telling, he pointed out that his excavation at the supposed pine kiln is carried out under permit and any reports are peer reviewed. However, he agreed with my points on the dig in the swamp and distanced himself from what was being done. I know this is only a program and there are 'production issues' to be taken into account but I think there are obvious divisions between the official excavations and the mess that is the swamp road.

 

[eziofan]

For those interested in the origins of the Oak Island Mystery, I have managed to uncover a very early (1866) version of the original discovery. It was reported in the New York Herald 2 Sept 1866. It is available free online at the US Library of Congress website https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov . A very different tale from that usually told. For a start, the original discoverers were not kids on a fishing trip!

 

[eziofan]

This is a copy of the Chester poll tax return for 1791-1795 showing that Oak Island was not an uninhabited island when the discovery was made.