A Steam Voyage down the Danube, Volume 1 by Michael J. Quin

I was awoke during the night by a violent storm of thunder and lightning, which I attempted to witness from the deck. The sky was an entire field of fire, and the thunder pealed incessantly, until at length the rain fell in warm showers which soon became a deluge. I was glad to take refuge in my berth again, and slept soundly until a late hour of the morning (29th), when I found our Tyrolese and their officers all busily engaged in landing their effects at Vipalanka. The bank was converted into a marsh by the rain; but, by the assistance of planks, they succeeded in effecting their object. The village was at a distance, and its mean appearance did not induce me to pay it a visit. Nearly opposite to Vipalanka are situated the village and fortress of Rama, on the brow of a bold and lofty promontory. The fortress still looks respectable, though partly in ruins; it commands the Danube at a point where begin those amazing serpentine undulations which form, perhaps, its most striking characteristic.

♦ WINDINGS OF THE DANUBE ♦