Fish Fall 1881

August 26, 1881 – It was on this day that residents in Worcestershire, England were surprised to see fish raining down from the sky.

A conventional interpretation would be that a waterspout or small tornado lifted up the fish from nearby rivers and ponds.

Charles Fort mentioned the event in his iconic Book of the Damned. Here’s his take on it:

“…a shower of fish, chiefly minnows, fell in great quantities. They were alive, and some were taken home in hats. No stream near. This is one of the many instances that illustrate my expression that things are not only ‘damned,’ but damned funny.”