O’Sullivans Successor

By Bill Gill

WE are told of “Two Shillelagh O’Sullivan,” who could take a grip of himself by his coat collar and hold himself out at arm’s length. This feat, however, has never been fully authenticated.

On the other hand there is no questioning the remarkable feat of Dan O’Connor at Bulolo, NG, in 1941.

One morning, Dan and another blacksmith, George Scott, were dealing with a steel girder on a 3 cwt. anvil.

“Hit it. Dan!” cried George. “Hit it a bit harder, man.”

“Is it harder, then?” said Danny; and, with his 14 lb. hammer, he smote that girder an Imperial wallop.

It shattered the anvil!

This aroused widespread interest and the locals, European and native, came from miles around to see for themselves.

The verdict of the natives was “Master e strong fella too much.”

The European community was less laconic, and the Morobe News called upon its bard, Jack Suther land (an assayer in his spare time) to smite the lyre, which he did to this effect * We may talk of Vulcan and of Thor Whose deeds shall live forever more, But on the scroll we now must claim A place for Dan, of anvil fame.

Midst flying sparks and red hot steel His mighty labours make us feel That here is one whose daily deeds Can equal those of Hercules, (sic.)

His hammer of prodigious weight He smashes down on yielding plate; The groaning anvil rent in twain And on the scroll is Danny’s name.

Truly rugged verse, well suited to the theme.

If Danny were any better, he says, he couldn’t stand it.

He lives now in Sydney and he sends his “hurroos” to all his old NG friends.