Genoa harbour, Italy — 1 August 1608
Fighting creatures from the sea
Two human figures holding what looked like flying snakes were seen fighting over the sea. Only their torso was visible above the waves. Their cries were so “horrible” some of the witnesses were sick with fear. They were seen repeatedly for a couple of weeks, and about 800 cannon shots failed to scare them away. It should be noted that this event is often confused with a series of unrelated weather phenomena between Nice and Lambesc in France, where “bloody rains” were reported.
Source: Anon., Discoursau Vray des terribles et espouvantables signes… (Troyes: Odard Aulmont, 1608). Case: W172