TCD MS 10516 folio 24 recto
[10th September 1916] and defenceless; it was impossible to check the ships without danger of going aground. But when, at length, the chaos was detected from a bend in the river where the banks were reasonably low, the gunboats opened fire on the enemy with their twelve-pounders and machine guns. This was effective; the Arabs immediately dispersed. However in their attack they had succeeded in killing seven of the camel-drivers. I have no doubt but that the Sheik thought that as our ships swept down the stream leaving his transport far in the rear, we were adding desertion of his men to our inability to establish his authority in the village of El Khidr.
The little affair, though involving us in no loss, is one of those unfortunate incidents which one wishes had not occurred.