Later that year, a timber bridge was built over the river and subsequently Ross became an important stopover on road journeys between Launceston and Hobart. Shortly afterward, cattle were being run on Crown land at Ross, to be used as working bullocks, and others were used as milch cows for people holding government posts. Ross developed as a base for the local garrison and became a centre for trade for the surrounding district. Between 1848 and 1854 approximately 12,000 female convicts passed through the Female Factory.