Motor Launch accident on the Tigris River, Iraq 15 January 1918.

Accident 15th January 1918.
The Matron and 12 of the members of the female nursing staff of 65 General Hospital, were invited by the Officer Commanding Beit Nama Officer's Convalescent Hospital to spend the afternoon of 15th January 1918 at his unit, to meet his convalescent officers and have tea. They were transported by motor launch, but on the return journey they were involved in a collision with a steam tug. Four nurses were accidentally drowned.
The Court of Inquiry extracted from the record of Florence D’Oyle COMPTON

Court of inquiry at 3rd British General Hospital 19 January 1918. Into the accident.
Marginally named.
QAIMNS Sister A Welford. QAIMNS Sister F D Compton. V.A.D. Miss F.M.Faithfull,
1st witness statement of Matron-in-Chief B.M.E.F., Miss Beatrice Jones. (She was not at the scene of the accident)
She stated the O.C. of BEIT NAAMA Officer's Hospital invited through me of 65th B.G.H., the matron and thirteen (13) female nursing staff of the above-named hospital (65 BGH) to spend the afternoon of the 15th instant with him at his hospital. Only twelve members of the female nursing staff (in addition to the matron Miss F.M.Hall) actually went in the launch to BEIT NAAMA
Question.
Were those members of the female nursing staff of 65 BGH detailed or ordered to proceed in the launch to BEIT NAAMA?
Answer.
The matron of 65 BGH (Miss F.M.Hall) gave me twelve names, whom six were accommodated in No 3 BGH and six in No 40 BGH. I gave these twelves ladies and order through the matrons of the respective hospitals to be at the Sick Convoy Pier at 3.30 p.m. Sister E Tindall was amongst those detailed.
Statement signed by Matron-in-Chief, Miss Beatrice Jones.

2nd witness. Matron of 65 British General Hospital, Miss F.M.Hall.
States I was invited together with O.C. of No 65 B.G.H. to spend the afternoon of 15th inst at Beit Naama and bring with me Miss E. Austin and eleven other members of the female nursing staff of No 65 B.G.H.
Queston.
Were these twelve members of the female nursing staff of 65 B.G.H. ordered to proceed in the launch to BEIT NAAMA?
Answer.
Yes, they were detailed.
Statement signed Frances.M.Hall. 19.1.18.

3rd Witness.
Lieutenant Colonel E.W. Skinner R.A.M.C. , states that on Monday the 14th inst Miss F.M.Hall told me that she had been asked to convey to me an invitation from the O.C. BEIT NAAMA to visit his convalescent hospital on Tuesday 15th inst, that transport was being arranged for herself and the nursing staff and that I could go with them under these circumstances.
I proceeded to BEIT NAAMA with the party and was present when the accident occurred on our return journey.
Statement signed by Colonel Ernest.W. Skinner. 19.1.18

On consideration of the evidence I am of the opinion the three marginally named Members of the Nursing Staff of the 65th British General Hospital were on duty at the time of the accident and were not to blame.
Signed Ernest W Skinner. Lieut-Col R.A.M.C., O.C., No 65 Brit. Gen. Hospl.

It was concluded the accident was the result of error of judgement on the part of the steersman of the launch.