Death of Valentia Islander in Sierra Leone a century ago

THE following is an extract from an article written on October 21, 1905, in reference to a Valentia Island telegrapher who subsequently moved to Africa where there were many perils! ‘IT is with regret we announce the death of Mr. Daniel O’Sullivan, Superintendent of Telegraphs on the West coast of Africa, being the third son of Michael O’Sullivan, Petty Sessional Clerk of Valentia Island. He died on October 12 in Sierra Leone through misadventure during a dental operation in the 37 th year of his age.

‘The news of his unexpected death has been received by his father, relatives and a host of friends and advisers with feelings of heavy sorrow.

‘In 1889 he left his island home as a telegrapher for the malarial swamps of Bonny, situated at the mouth of the river Niger, where he was first attacked with malaria and subsequently the black water fever of which some companions and fellow operators died.

‘In July 1891 he was transported home on board the S.S. Sudan which struck on a sunken rock and was wrecked on the Gold Coast with the crew and passengers losing all their effects but saved their lives in the ship’s boats and next day were rescued by a passing ship.

‘He frequently came home on holidays to recruit his health and with undaunted courage and pluck again and again faced the deadly climate of West Africa.

‘Like many more of his fellow countrymen who in sovereign lands achieve distinction by stepping on the lower and raising themselves to the top rung of the ladder, he also, being an operator of telegraph first, was ultimately promoted by his company, who emphatically relied on his efficiency and integrity, to the position of 1st Class Superintendent.

‘For a number of years he has had charge interchangeably of the following Cable Stations,viz., Bonny, Accra, Brass, Lagos, Loando, Mossarnades, Bathurst, Cape Vent and Sierra Leone.’