Name Corpus Christi Barge

Corpus Christi Barge is a steel-hulled barge built in 1930 by Salter Brothers Ltd in Oxford. She was the last Oxford College Barge to be built for the Oxford University Boat Club which had been formed in 1839. In that year six London Livery Barges were purchased to serve as changing rooms and viewing platforms for the rowers and their supporters.

The first Oxford College Barge was commissioned in 1854, with its interior replicating that of a gentleman's club. The exterior design retained features of the Livery Barges, such as their 60-90 ft length, a large 'house' structure on a flat hull with shallow draft, an upper deck viewing platform, and grand doorcases and entrances. The first Corpus Christi Barge had a bench seat along both walls of the main saloon. 

Each barge was designed as a unique craft. Architectural decoration was used to identify ownership as 'a recognised language used to codify quality, prestige, and meaning.' Four of the barges had figureheads. Queen's had an eagle, Trinity a griffin, Jesus a dragon, and Corpus Christi a pelican.  The Jesus, Queen's, and Corpus barge figureheads were pieces of heraldic carving, but the Trinity griffin was a piece of fairground bugaboo. 

In 1930, when Corpus Christi Barge was built, there were up to 26 barges moored along the Isis at Christ Church Meadow, serving as floating changing rooms, viewing platforms, and club houses. However, in the 1960s/70s the College Barges including Corpus Christi Barge fell into disrepair and became abandoned and neglected as new boathouses were built on Christ Church meadow. The colleges no longer prioritised the upkeep of the barges. 

Corpus Christi Barge is one of only seven surviving Oxford College Barges, three of which remain in Oxford, and all are owned privately or by small trusts. They continue to be used as club common rooms, crew changing rooms, and viewing platforms for rowing