Chalk Barge c.1960 and Chalk Barge, 1948 are possibly the same barge under power; the black & white image is a postcard, the coloured one a photograph. The barge was used by the River Authority to transport chalk from the quarry behind the Black Rabbit Inn up or down the river. The chalk would have been used to repair and stabilise the river bank after flood events or other damage.

The Black Rabbit Quay postcard shows the wharf where the chalk was loaded, with rails leading to the edge that trucks would have used. The winch on the front of the barge is visible, showing that it is moored alongside the wharf. The Sailing Chalk Barge card shows Swanbourne under sail above Arundel, featuring the characteristic long boathook with a two pronged end being held in readiness to fend off around the approaching bend. See the Pulborough video for more on this.