Technical Tip

Stainless does not mean Stainproof

A common misconception among divers is that stainless steel does not corrode at all. There are various types of stainless steel, each with different corrosion properties, that make a specific grade more or less suited to a particular application. Because there is no perfect stainless steel, the selection of the grade is often a compromise between corrosion resistance and malleability. Stainless grades selected because they hold a sharp cutting edge will corrode relatively fast compared to other grades. The most corrosion resistant grades are not usually a good choice for bolt snaps and hand tools because depending on the use application they may not offer the best wear resistance or may be too brittle.

Stainless does not mean Stainproof and all diving products made of stainless steel must receive some basic care to help minimize corrosion. Rinse any stainless steel components in dive equipment with fresh water after diving or when otherwise in contact with salt water, allow them to dry and do not store them in damp or moist environments. Make sure any storage sheath or pouch is also rinsed and allowed to dry before returning the stainless item to the pouch. When rinsing bolt snaps, be sure to work the bolt action several times to eject any saltwater trapped in the slider and spring mechanism. In particular, avoid storing stainless steel near or in contact with other metals having strongly dissimilar electropotentials, especially aluminium, such that moisture can induce galvanic corrosion. In cases of galvanic corrosion where the stainless item is in close proximity to some types of metals, rust or other colour stains will electrolytically transfer to the surface of the stainless item.

An invisible film forms on the surface of stainless steel when it's in contact with oxygen. This allows it to withstand damage from corrosives including many acids, bases, and detergents, as well as salt water. However, depending on envirionmental conditions you may notice some surface 'stains' that can form on various stainless items. In general these are cosmetic in nature and we recommend you allow the cosmetic stains to remain when practical. Using an abrasive is more likely to remove the invisible corrosion resistant film that forms on stainless, allowing corrosion to spread and ultimately making the corrosion worse.

Properties of Stainless Steel

Hardness - As hardness increases, metals become more wear resistant but they may be less malleable. Some types of stainless steel harden by cold working, and others can be heat treated. The 300 series hardens by cold working, many in the 400 series can be hardened by heat treating.

Formability - Stainless steel is generally formable and bendable, but types that harden by cold working can require more force to bend than carbon steel.

Machinability - During machining, stainless steel can become gummy and stick to cutting tools, making it typically more difficult to machine than steel.

Weldability - Take care to clean stainless steel before and after welding operations. Contaminants, such as lubricants and particles from grinding tools, will reduce corrosion resistance at welded points.

Finish - Stainless steel does not always have a shiny finish. In fact, stainless steel is available in a number of finishes, ranging from an unpolished, dull surface to a reflective mirror-like shine.

Briton

Wreck Dive | Shore access

Wooden Three-Masted Ship | Max Depth: 3 m (9.84 ft)

Level: Open Water and beyond.

The Briton shipwreck, which lies at Point Henry, Corio Bay, is significant socially for its use as a landing stage for the popular Bellarine Tea Gardens. It is difficult to assess archaeological significance due to the structure being modified throughout its career.

Briton Shipwreck History — Built in 1864

The Briton was a wooden, three-masted ship, built in 1864, by James Nichol in Invercargill, New Zealand and named the New Great Briton. She was carvel built, on a lenght of 140 ft (43 m), with a beam of 28.6 ft (8.72 m) and a draught of 18 ft (5.49 m).

In February 1864 the New Great Briton was forced ashore at The Bluff, New Zealand and damaged. She was refloated, repaired, re-rigged as a barque, and renamed Briton. She was sold on 1 November 1976 and converted into a coal hulk.

The hulk Briton was occasionally used as a landing stage for popular Bellarine Tea Gardens, with passengers being picked up by paddle steamer Bellarine.

Briton Sinking — 31 January 1890

The Briton sank in a heavy gale at her moorings on 31 January 1890.

Blasting took place in 1907 on an old hulk near Point Henry, presumably either the Briton or the City of Melbourne.

Heritage Warning: Any shipwreck or shipwreck relic that is 75 years or older is protected by legislation. Other items of maritime heritage 75 years or older are also protected by legislation. Activities such as digging for bottles, coins or other artefacts that involve the disturbance of archaeological sites may be in breach of the legislation, and penalties may apply. The legislation requires the mandatory reporting to Heritage Victoria as soon as practicable of any archaeological site that is identified. See Maritime heritage. Anyone with information about looting or stolen artefacts should call Heritage Victoria on (03) 7022 6390, or send an email to heritage.victoria@delwp.vic.gov.au.

Wathaurong (Wadda-Warrung) country

Traditional Owners — This dive site is in the traditional Country of the Wathaurong (Wadda-Warrung) people of the Kulin Nation. This truly ancient Country includes the coastline of Port Phillip, from the Werribee River in the north-east, the Bellarine Peninsula, and down to Cape Otway in the south-west. We wish to acknowledge the Wathaurong as Traditional Owners. We pay respect to their Ancestors and their Elders, past, present and emerging. We acknowledge Bunjil the Creator Spirit of this beautiful land, who travels as an eagle, and Waarn, who protects the waterways and travels as a crow, and thank them for continuing to watch over this Country today and beyond.

Briton Location Map

Latitude: 38° 7.590′ S (38.1265° S / 38° 7′ 35.4″ S)
Longitude: 144° 25.500′ E (144.425° E / 144° 25′ 30″ E)
Datum: WGS84 | Google Map | Get directions
Added: 2012-07-22 09:00:00 GMT, Last updated: 2022-04-27 22:55:47 GMT
Source: GPS
Nearest Neighbour: City of Melbourne, 1,000 m, bearing 265°, W
Wooden Three-Masted Ship.
Built: New Zealand, 1864.
Sunk: 31 January 1890.
Point Henry, Corio Bay.
Depth: 3 m.

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DISCLAIMER: No claim is made by The Scuba Doctor as to the accuracy of the dive site coordinates listed here. Should anyone decide to use these GPS marks to locate and dive on a site, they do so entirely at their own risk. Always verify against other sources.

The marks come from numerous sources including commercial operators, independent dive clubs, reference works, and active divers. Some are known to be accurate, while others may not be. Some GPS marks may even have come from maps using the AGD66 datum, and thus may need be converted to the WGS84 datum. To distinguish between the possible accuracy of the dive site marks, we've tried to give each mark a source of GPS, Google Earth, or unknown.