5 Jobs From History That Were Absolutely Terrifying

Powder Monkey – Children On Warships

Powder monkeys were young boys, often as young as 10, who worked on Royal Navy warships during the 18th and 19th centuries. Their job was to carry gunpowder from the magazine to the cannons during battle—a task that required sprinting through cramped, dark passageways while the ship was being hit by enemy fire. If a spark ignited the powder they were carrying, they’d be blown apart instantly. They were small, fast, and considered disposable.