Rock Island, IL: Quinlan Ferry across the Mississippi River

(Satellite, back then there was less landfill and 18th Street extended to the ferry dock)

The Milwaukee Depot was a block west of here.

Davenport Iowa History posted

Davenport Ferry Boat - 1911

The ferry "Davenport" was owned by the Rock Island and Davenport Ferry Company. They also owned the ferry "Rock Island." In those days, one of the boats ran from Davenport to Rock Island or vice versa every 15 minutes. The fare was a nickel, or you could ride all day on the upper deck for 10 cents.

On August 1, 1909, John Hogan, father of Rev. Henry Hogan, formerly the priest at the Sacred Heart Cathedral, but at that time stationed in Fairfield, Iowa, lost his life in a peculiar manner about 6:30 in the morning. He had gone to the river bank at an early hour to escape the heat, and had been standing on the Davenport ferry dock. In some manner, he lost his balance and fell between the dock and the shore. Evidently, he struck his head on the guy chain which held the dock barge, and was rendered unconscious. He was found soon afterwards lying across the chain, his head and feet under water. Mr. Hogan was 68 years old and a Civil War veteran. He was a pioneer farmer and formerly resided on a big farm near Long Grove, until retiring a few years previous, and removing to Davenport.

In those days, it was not uncommon for people to swim or bathe in the Mississippi River off the levee and often near the ferry dock. The danger to life due to the possibility of coming into contact with the wheels of the steamers compelled a formal complaint by Commodore Marcus L. Henderson of the Rock Island and Davenport ferry line. On July 10, 1911, the City of Rock Island passed an ordinance forbidding the practice on the Illinois side of the river between Seventeenth and Nineteenth streets (in the vicinity of the ferry dock). The penalty clause provided for a maximum fine of $100, but no specified minimum. Furthermore, Mayor Schriver of Rock Island was considering a plan to establish a swimming beach near Twelfth street which would be suitable for bathing.

On October 28, 1912, Commodore Marcus L. Henderson, president of the Rock Island-Davenport Ferry company, had a narrow escape from death when a heavy oaken fender on the steamer "Alice" dropped and struck his right arm, breaking it like a straw. Had the fender struck his head or body, he would undoubtedly have been killed. That he escaped death was little short of miraculous. The captain was standing on a barge of the Interstate Improvement Co., the steamer Alice being alongside, when the heavy fender, suspended on a hook, gave way and swung down upon Mr. Henderson. He was hurried to a physician's home and the fracture was reduced.

The winter of 1913 was so mild that the Davenport and Rock Island ferries were still plying back and forth across the river on December 16th.

Miles W. Rich: When Fred Kahlke bought it, he renamed it the W. J. Quinlan. It was permanently drydocked after WWII.

Retro Quad Cities posted
The ferry Rock Island leaves Rock Island in 1910 and heads for Davenport with the ferry Davenport to the right. Several buildings in Rock Island I've identified to show location.
Judy Patsch: Brenda Barr The ferry DAVENPORT to the right in the picture was converted into the WJQUINLAN in 1924. She ran through the 1945 season, after which she rotted away in Kahlke's boatyard until she burned April 8, 1967. The smaller ferry ROCK ISLAND was discontinued in 1918 when she was sold to Helena Arkansas.. As someone posted earlier, the Centennial Bridge began the demise of the QUINLAN. Her unsafe wooden hull was the ultimate killer in November 1945.
David Sebben: Did not haul cars.

John Vize commented on the above post
Probably the W.J. Quinlan.

 

Retro Quad Cities posted
The business end of the ferry Davenport churns up the water on its way to Davenport in 1911.
It was drydocked in 1946 and it burned in 1967.
Judy Patsch: This DAVENPORT was converted into the WJ QUINLAN in 1924.
Dave Stockdale: The Transit began operation in 1949.

umvphotoarchive

 

Retro Quad Cities posted
A very rare photo of Retro Dave departing the ferry landing on the Rock Island levee in 1921 after a day of exploring in Davenport.
Would have been just west of the former Armory.

Postcard

 

Postcard

usgwarchives

 

usgwarchives
[Dam #15 is in the background.]

 

Retro Quad Cities posted
1937 Rock Island Armory and the Quinlan ferry. The state of Illinois put in a seawall....more or less just a retaining wall to keep the earth fill in place...around 1949 north of the Armory. The Corps designed flood protection in the late 60's after the flood of 1965. The Armory was demolished in 2009 after a decade of trying to figure out what to do with a large building that had lost its roof and had lots of interior water damage. Schwiebert Park occupies the former Armory site. The stage and lawn are the outline of the Armory if seen from above. Most of the building concrete was crushed and used for fill to elevate the area in front of the stage. 

The above post about the armory was my first clue as to the location of the dock. The following aerial photos allowed me to determine that the dock was located at the end of an extension of 18th Street.

The armory did not exist in this 1927 aerial, and we can clearly see the dock.

1927 Aerial Photo from ILHAP

By 1938, the dock had been repositioned, the armory was built and we see a ferry headed to Davenport.

1937 Aerial Photo from ILHAP

Retro Quad Cities posted two photos with the comment: "The ferry "Davenport", later known as the W.J. Quinlan, prepares to dock in the Davenport floodwaters near Dillon Fountain.  And the same view today."

Tom Sharp: Built by the Kahlke brothers in 1904, the Steamer Davenport operated alongside the T.J. Robinson, until the latter boat was moved downriver in 1920.

Their son Fred Kahlke took over the business, modified the boat in 1924 and sold it to oilman W J Quinlan, who renamed it. The three-tier boat was used to ferry passengers and also for excursions. It could handle up to 500 people, including riders. It operated until 1945, when it was condemned and retired. It was replaced in 1949 by the newer "Transit" ferry.

Kahlke took possession of the old boat and put it in his boatyard. Plans to repurpose the boat for service or to be moved to Sunset Park for a recreation center and museum never came to fruition, due to the boats condition and the necessary costs.

After the Flood of 1965, Rock Island bought the rights to the area to construct its flood dike. In 1967, vandals burned what was left of the boatyard and its contents, including the Quinlan.

If you drive by, you might honk your horn: twice long, once short, in honor of the boatyard.

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Retro Quad Cities posted
The "Rock Island" ferry at the Rock Island dock in 1909.

Retro Quad Cities posted

Tim Norlin commented on the above post, cropped

Patty Dau Hodges commented on the above post
1954 Paul Norton water color print of the Quinlan

Bonus

Retro Quad Cities posted
An unnamed steamboat and the TJ Robinson (later renamed the Rock Island) are docked at the Rock Island levee. Tickets were on sale for 10 cents for a roundtrip ride to the Grand Isle (now Credit Island). Can any of our riverboat experts ID the boat on the left?
Between 1903-1908
Judy Patsch: It looks like one of the Diamond Jo boats, bought by Streckfus in 1911. Most likely the SAINT PAUL or QUINCY.