The General Picton was a four-masted iron sailing ship of 1660 gross tons, built in 1883 at Port Glasgow and measuring 258 x 38 x 23 ft. She was wrecked on 23 July 1888 at Fosters Island. The Marine Life Network guide rates the wreck 8 out of 10: steel plates create swim-throughs, the wreck lies scenically against a dangerous reef in 5-25 m, and crayfish were historically abundant along with small marine life in the crevices.

The guide notes that it is a historic wreck from which nothing may be removed, that it is a slack-water dive best done on a rising tide, and that a high point about 100 m away is visible for orientation. Treat the depths, positions and conditions given here as a starting point, and confirm them with local divers and a depth sounder before committing to a dive.

The far north-east corner of Tasmania, from Eddystone Point to Cape Portland and Swan Island, is one of the most remote stretches of the state's coast. Roads north of St Helens and around Gladstone are partly gravel, the nearest shops are at Gladstone, Derby or Bridport, and there are no dive services at all. The Marine Life Network guide, written from the experience of Launceston divers, is still the only detailed published account of most of these sites.

Where Bass Strait meets the Tasman Sea around Cape Portland and the Swan Island group, tidal streams run hard, and the guide repeatedly stresses slack water, safety lines and experienced boat handlers for the wreck sites. The Royal Hobart Hospital chamber is five hours or more away by road, so any diving here should be conservative and planned with an evacuation route in mind.

Launch at the Little Musselroe River or Musselroe Bay and run west-north-west past Cape Portland to Fosters Island, about 25-30 minutes. The Marine Life Network guide recommends diving on a rising tide at slack water. There are no marinas or fuel on this coast apart from the towns named, so carry spare fuel, a VHF radio and an EPIRB, leave a trip plan ashore, and check MAST boating advice; many north-coast ramps are shallow at low tide, and a 4WD tow vehicle is a real advantage.

The Cape Portland and Swan Island area lies where Bass Strait meets the Tasman Sea: strong tidal streams run through the passages and between the islands, and wind against tide creates steep, dangerous seas. Diving is only practical at slack water in light winds; westerly swell and strong easterlies both make the area unworkable. Slack water dive; a rising tide is recommended.

Use the Bureau of Meteorology coastal forecast for the North East Coast and Banks Strait, and check tide times for the nearest standard port before planning the run.

Descend at slack water near the reef, explore the steel plates and swim-throughs from 5 m down to about 25 m, and leave the site before the current builds. Turn the dive at half gas (thirds where current or overhead sections are involved), deploy an SMB before surfacing for the live-boat pick-up, and complete a 3-minute safety stop at about 5 m where depth allows.

No commercial operator. Dived occasionally by Launceston clubs and Tasmanian Divers (Launceston) groups, and by private boats and cray divers. Remote - full self-sufficiency required.