What Shipwreck and Maritime History Resources Can I Explore on michiganshipwrecks.org?

michiganshipwrecks.org is the website of the Michigan Shipwreck Research Association (MSRA), and it organizes its public resources into three main areas: a shipwreck database (found, lost, surf zone, and airplane losses), a virtual museum (deep-look features, lost-and-found cases, unsolved mysteries, and an artifact collection), and an archive of past "Mysteries & Histories Beneath the Inland Seas" shipwreck shows. If you want to browse Michigan shipwreck records, read research write-ups, or catch up on past annual events, these sections are where to start.

Shipwreck and Loss Listings

The site separates wrecks by status, which matters because a "found" wreck and a "lost" one call for different expectations — one has a known location and often a story of discovery, the other is still an open question.

• Found Shipwrecks — wrecks that have been located, typically with the discovery context MSRA is known for.
• Lost Shipwrecks — vessels still unaccounted for; useful if you're researching open cases or want to see what remains unresolved.
• Surf Zone Shipwrecks (lost and found) — a distinct category for wrecks in the surf zone, spanning both located and unlocated examples.
• Airplane Losses — aircraft losses, grouped alongside the maritime records rather than treated separately.

If your goal is a specific vessel, check the found and lost lists first; the surf zone and airplane categories are narrower and worth a look only if your subject fits them.

Virtual Museum

The virtual museum holds the interpretive and narrative material — the part of the site to use when you want context, images, or ongoing research rather than a lookup.

• Shipwrecks: A Deep Look — in-depth features on selected wrecks.
• Lost & Found — cases that moved from lost to located.
• Unsolved Mysteries — unresolved questions in Michigan maritime history.
• Artifact Collection — recovered artifacts presented as a collection.

This section suits readers who want the story and evidence behind a wreck, not just its name on a list.

Past Show Archive

MSRA runs an annual event, "Mysteries & Histories Beneath the Inland Seas." The site notes that the 2026 show has concluded and the next one is planned for March 2027. An archive of past shows is available, with years listed from 1997 through 2020 (including 2000, 1999, 1998, and 1997).

Use the archive if you missed a show or want to review how MSRA has presented its research over time. For current announcements between events, the site points to its Facebook page.

Other Ways to Engage

Beyond browsing, the site offers membership, donations, a store, a newsletter, and contact information, along with pages for the board of directors, mission, and publishing and exhibit-design partners. These are the routes to take if you want to support the work or stay informed rather than just read.

One practical note: the site's own framing is preservation and interpretation of Michigan's maritime history, so expect a Michigan focus throughout rather than a general Great Lakes or national database.