The previous week's drilling of borehole H.5-10.5 produced wooden evidence at about 150 feet, the same area where Fredrick Blair and William Chappell found signs of a seven-foot-high chest in 1897. Alex Lagina, Charles Barkhouse, and Terry now supervise the drilling of borehole H.25-10.75, hoping to relocate the structure and confirm it as the Chappell Vault. A core sample from 130 feet contains wood. The next sample, from 139 feet, brings up cobble, gravel, and wood, though little remains at the bottom. Mike reports that the lower portion of the sample fell out and that the drilling became very loose about halfway through the run, which could indicate a void. Alex asks Mike to case the borehole to 149 feet. A core from 163 feet yields more wood, and Terry describes the sample as disturbed. Alex calls Rick Lagina to report the findings, and when Rick arrives he identifies the location as a candidate for a caisson.
On Lot 4, Peter Fornetti and Gary Drayton metal-detect spoils from the rounded stone feature on Lot 5. Gary quickly gets a hit and pulls out what appears to be a piece of copper with rivets. He suggests it could have been part of a uniform, bag, or satchel, and hopes that lab analysis may reveal a military insignia or regimental numbers.
In the swamp, Craig Tester, Billy Gerhardt, and Katya Drayton continue draining and searching the brick-and-slate structure found in the northern section. Rick and Laird Niven arrive to check progress. The group discusses the possibility that Anthony Graves hid something in the structure. Graves purchased most of Oak Island in 1857, built his home near Joudrey's Cove, and was later said to have made purchases on the mainland using Spanish silver coins. Katya scans the structure and recovers a piece of lead that Laird thinks could be the end of a counterweight. The team digs to the bottom without finding further hits. Nearby, Peter, Katya, and Billy search about 20 feet from the structure. Katya finds a large piece of pottery, followed by more fragments of blue-glazed and yellow ware. Peter notes the proximity to the Graves homesite and expects more finds as they dig deeper.
On Lot 5, Marty Lagina, Fiona, and Todd continue work at the stone structure. Marty asks about charcoal that has been uncovered, and Fiona tells him they found a clinker within it, evidence of high heat. Marty digs into a section of the wall and recovers a charcoal sample that Fiona says should produce reliable dates.
In the lab, Carmen Legge meets with the team to examine the copper piece from the Lot 5 spoils. He identifies it as a nameplate. Emma Culligan's scan results show it is a copper alloy composed of copper, zinc, iron, lead, and arsenic. Emma explains that the arsenic content makes the piece older, possibly from the 1600s. In the War Room, Marty tells the team he would like to place five or six caissons in the Money Pit but they must decide on locations. Steve Guptill highlights findings from borehole E.75-5.6, which produced wood at vault depth, and proposes a starting point. The team agrees to begin placing the first caisson.
