visit of japanese training squadron 1903 to hobart was a matter of great public anticipation. the mercury of 29 may 1903 announced that william philpot hallam would be conducting further wireless telegraphy experiments, attempting to communicate with the warships off cape pillar with equipment set up at the shot tower. the warships however arrived a little earlier than expected and messages were only briefly intercepted before the progress of the vessels up the river resulted in hills along the propagation path and consequent signal attenuation.