Black gang (ship)

Coal dust adhered to the perspiration-drenched skin and clothing of men shoveling soft coal in the radiant heat of a hot boiler firebox.

The black gang is the part of a ship's crew that works in the engine room. They were called 'black' because of the soot and coal dust that was thick in the air in the fire room/engine room. The term began usage in the days of the coal-fired steam-ships. The term is commonly used in the United States Navy and United States Coast Guard to describe personnel in "M" and "B" divisions.