Prior to the construction of the Floating Docks at Steamboat Quay goods were brought into the city at the Quays, namely Arthurs Quay, Merchant’s Quay, Howley’s Quay, Bishop’s Quay, Fisher’s Quay and Harvey’s Quay. There was also a dock on the North Bank of the Shannon where Shannon Bridge is today.
On the 18 September 1845 the first public enquiry was held at the Tidal Harbour Commission where the Limerick Bridge Commissioners and the Chamber of Commerce argued convincingly for a floating dock to be built in Limerick Harbour. The first stone for the dock was laid on the 6 July 1849 by the Mayor of Limerick John Boyse. A parade was held in recognition of the event, as described by H. W. Russell, in the North Munster Antiquarian Journal, vol. 6, no. 1, 1949
The floating dock was finished in 1853 and opened to a similar ceremony by the Edward Eliot, 3rd Earl of Germans and Lord Lieutenant of Ireland on 26 September 1853. The final cost for construction was £54, 000 of which £39,000 was labourer costs. In 1873 the graving docks were opened by the Earl John Spencer, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, this event was mentioned by a local woman Eleanor McGhie in a letter to her niece.