Fremantle Inner Harbour, at the mouth of the Swan River, was designed by Irish-born engineer, Charles Yelverton O'Connor who had been appointed Engineer in Chief for the Colony of Western Australia in 1891.

The design and construction of the harbour at Fremantle, commenced in 1892, was C.Y.O'Connor's first major public works project. It was a huge undertaking, involving blasting to clear away the rocky bar that had, until then, blocked the river entrance. Dredging was required to deepen the harbour, twin breakwaters (the North and South Moles) were constructed and wharves were built.

The Inner Harbour at Fremantle was officially opened on 4 May 1897.

Construction and expansion of the port has continued over one hundred years and today, Fremantle is one of Australia's fastest growing general cargo ports.

It is testimony to O'Connor's vision that the Inner Harbour is still largely based on his original design, although the port facilities and infrastructure have been progressively modernised over the years to meet the changing requirements of shipping.

A memorial statue honouring C.Y.O'Connor was erected on Victoria Quay on 23 June 1911 and can be seen today near the entrance to Fremantle Ports Administration Building.

The development of Fremantle Harbour was an achievement of tremendous importance to the future prosperity of Western Australia.