In the late 1950s the inn became the Ship's Wheel Boat Club, which had a floating dock that allowed customers to boat to the club. It suffered a flood in 1965 and burned down in 1979. Together with the rest of the steering mechanism, it forms part of the helm.
A ship's wheel or boat's wheel is a device used aboard a water vessel to steer that vessel and control its course. Today. [clarification needed] It is connected to a mechanical, electric servo, or hydraulic system which alters the vertical angle of the vessel's rudder relative to its hull. Slide is dark. This slide is from the Ann Watkins collection.
The Ship's Wheel built in 1911 on Campbell's Island was a popular destination for local night life and tourist before fading in the 1950's. A rebuilt pavilion eventually became known as the Campbell’s Island Inn and was purchased in the late 1950s to become the headquarters for the Ship’s Wheel Boat Club.
Photograph of the Ship's Wheel building on Campbell's Island in East Moline, Illinois.