The HMS Anson was a large ship, 1870 tons, built at Paull, near Hull, England in 1812. Sailed to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania), Australia from Plymouth, England on 1 Oct 1843, arriving 4 Feb 1844 carrying 499 male convicts, plus a crew of 326 - the greatest number to ever leave England on a transport ship. The 'Anson' was then refitted as a hulk Probation Station for housing female prisoners after they first arrived in Van Diemen's Land. It was situated in the River Derwent, Prince of Wales Bay, Risdon near Hobart. There is much written about it's time as a Probation Station. The 'Anson' ship was broken up in 1850.