powder monkey

American  

noun

1. (formerly) a boy employed on warships to carry gunpowder from the magazine to the guns.

2. powderman.

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powder monkey British  

noun

1. (formerly) a boy who carried powder from the magazine to the guns on warships

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Etymology

Origin of powder monkey

First recorded in 1675–85

Example Sentences

Historically, children often served in ancillary roles during wartime, as couriers, drummer boys, or “powder monkeys,” who ferried ammunition to cannon crews.

From The New Yorker

During the Napoleonic Wars, so-called “powder monkeys,” some as young as ten, helped arm cannons for the British Navy.

From The New Yorker

He was a drill runner and powder monkey before he became a blaster.

From New York Times

We learnt about powder monkeys when we visited HMS Victory so I was interested to read this poem.

From The Guardian

His position was that of a “powder monkey,” and his chief employment was to bring powder from the magazine to the gunners during the naval engagements.

From Project Gutenberg