History
A large amount of the club's history is recorded in the college's Pelican Record, however significant amounts of information have been lost through the loss of the captains' diaries over the years.
1833 - 1900
'1833 was the first year when little Corpus ever had a four on the river; and when the time for the first race arrived they had neglected to provide themselves with a flag. It was ruled that they would not race without some sort of flag, so one of the crew produced a red pocket handkerchief, which was allowed to do duty' [3]
In 1834-35 the four built by Peard went head of the river. John Peard, known as Garibaldi's Englishman, lived at Plymouth and superintended the building of the new boat. [4]
The club continued development as a men's college sport throughout the 1800s, reaching Head of the River in Eights twice, and twice again in Torpids, before 1900. [5] In the early days of bumps racing, Corpus could be commonly found at the Bottom and Head of the River in quick succession.
In 1899, Corpus entered 'Varsity Fours', along with Magdalen and Balliol. Receiving a bye to the final, Corpus drew Magdalen, who passed them to come in first. [4] J. C. Marsden, and T. C. Sinclair (3 and stroke, respectively) were selected for the winning Trial Eights crew of that same year.
Corpus had a number of representatives in OUBC crews at Henley and other international regattas throughout the years, notably R. Martin in the Grand in 1857, H. H. Woodward (cox) in the Grand and Stewards' Cup in 1867. At the British Regatta in Paris, in the same year, Corpus entered an eight, defeated by an eight of Old Etonians. A blade, belonging to the strokeman R. S. Bridges, from that race can now be found in the River and Rowing Museum in Henley.
Corpus also sent a representative to the 1869 Oxford-Harvard race, F. H. Hall (cox). This was raced over the championship course, and Oxford won 'easily'.
The College Barge
The first college barge was commissioned in 1854, with exterior design reminiscent of livery barges, with a 60-90ft length and a large house structure placed upon a flat hull. [6] In 1877, Corpus is recorded as having taken over the old University College barge. Significant repairs were made to the first barge in 1905, but it eventually degraded to such a state that the new barge was commissioned.
The current barge was built in 1930 by Salter Brothers Ltd, Oxford. It features characteristic rounded windows, and a flat steel hull. It is now moored in the Kidneys and under the care of Oxford College Barges Preservation Trust [7] It was designed by Nathaniel Harrison FRIBA, a celebrated architect, and intended initially as a memorial barge of the Revd Joseph Hooper Maude, and his son, Louis Edward Joseph Maude, alumni of Corpus, who died at the Somme in 1916. A pelican was placed at the figurehead, with rectangular shields of the college arms and the Maude family (a lion rampant) along the line of the bow.
A new hull was placed on the barge in 1985, and from 1985 - 1997 the barge was used for student accommodation. The barge is now private accommodation, and has undergone a number of renovations since. As of July 2025, the Barge is undergoing renovation to restore the missing pelican figurehead, examine the flat hull, and repair other significant features.
The Women's Boat Club
Corpus Christi College Women's Boat Club, or CCCWBC, was founded in 1978, being highly successful in their first appearance in Eights, with 5 recorded bumps, and blades. The crew was partially formed of Half-Blues and Blues.
The Boat Race
Corpus have had many representatives in the Boat Race since 1857 (R. Martin), with several triallists in many years gone by. In the late 70s, both the men and women's first VIIIs were littered with Blues representation [3] .
In more recent years, Corpus have had several members race in the Lightweight Boat Races (2019, 2025).
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