The Cave-in Pit

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Sophia and Henry Sellars

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In 1893, Fred Blair of the Oak Island Treasure Co. removed the loose fill and dug down to 15.9 m (52’) seeing pick marks in the hard clay wall.  Water broke through and filled to tide level and the site was abandoned. Blair believed it was an air shaft used during the construction of the flood tunnel from Smith’s Cove to the Money Pit a distance of over 158.5 m (520’).

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In Feb 1966 Robert Dunfield used power shovel and hit oak below where Blair had stopped at 15.9 m (52’) and again at approximately 30.5 m (100 ‘). Erosion in the pit prevented further excavation.  ​

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During the summer of 1966 Dan Blankenship excavated the same area with a crane and bucket down to approximately 26.5 m (87’).  The top and bottom of this shaft flared out.  When the bucket became trapped at the bottom Dan volunteered to go down to free it. He constructed a steel cage to protect him at the bottom. Shortly after Dan returned to the surface the walls of the pit collapsed.  ​