Lot 5, Oak Island: Hypothesis for the 13-Foot Wide Stone Depression and Forest Capstan Crank Hoist System

This paper proposes a new interpretation of Lot 5 on Oak Island, focusing on a 13-foot-wide stone depression and an associated wooden capstan hoist system, referred to here as the “Forest Crank.” There seems to be in the face two stone slip away anchor points The site appears to have functioned as a storage and unloading area, accessible at high tide. Evidence suggests that a mechanical crank, likely constructed using surrounding forest timber, facilitated moving heavy materials to and from the beach. This study situates the structure within the broader French-era logistical network on Oak Island.