In March 1802 the Coventry Standard reported on an unusual event in King’s Newnham. The words of the report have been transcribed below as they are rather tricky to read, but the creature found is described as the “greatest curiosity this country ever produced” – one which the British Museum would deem as “a valuable addition to their repository of curiosities”.
The following most extraordinary event occurred at King’s Newnham, near Rugby, on Tuesday last, between the hours of eleven and twelve in the afternoon.
As Mr Brierly, of that place, was walking near a pit, in one of the meadows which joins the river Avon, his attention was suddenly attracted by something of a most enormous size, floating a few inches below the surface of the water, which had very much the appearance of a very large fish; but of what sort Mr Brierly was at a loss to ascertain, never having seen anything of the same kind before, yet notwithstanding, he was resolved, if possible, to get it out of the water, but how to effect it formed a talk of much difficulty, as the pit was extremely deep and considerably large; however, he at length thought of the following stratagem, which was to have the water pumped out; accordingly three men were employed for that purpose, with strict orders not to quit the place till the water was nearly out, consequently they laboured four and twenty hours incessantly, but the water being then, far from the bottom of the pit, four more men were sent to relieve the others, who by that time were nearly exhausted through fatigue, these likewise worked a very considerable time before the water was sufficiently low to get sight of the wonderful fish, which remained in the mud all the time the men were occupied at the pumps.
A very strong net was now procured, in order to facilitate the taking of this monstrous animal, which was no sooner in it, than he burst through with violent rapidity, and tore the net in several places; it was then thought most expedient to make use of landing nets, which luckily had the desired effect, and to the great astonishment of every one present, a fish of an impressive size was hauled out, which Mr Brierly desired might be conveyed to his own house.
It is supposed to have escaped from the adjoining river in a late flood, as it had never been seen in the pit before. Its head very much resembles that of a pike, and its tail has more the appearance of that of a Trout than any thing else, being much spotted; it has likewise fins like a carp. For its mouth to the end of its tail it measures three feet eleven inches, and round the thickest part of its body one foot six inches and an half; its weight which to those who have never seen it, will almost appear incredible, it actually thirty pounds and a few odd ounces.
Mr Brierly begs leave to state, that it is now at his house in a cistern of water, free to the inspection of any person; and as he much wishes to ascertain its species, whoever will undertake to give an accurate description of it, shall by him, be amply rewarded for their trouble. It is allowed by all who have seen it, to be greatest curiosity this country ever produced; but as its life is much despaired of, it the intention of Mr Brierly to send it to the British Museum, where, he makes no doubt, it will be deemed as a valuable addition to their repository of curiosities.