black gang
n.— «Schutz was part of the first group of sailors, also known as “plank owners”, to board the ship on its maiden voyage in 1943. His work detail manned and operated the engine room, better known as the “black gang.”» —“World War II veteran returns to USVI for reunion” in Los Angeles, California Caribbean Net News May 8, 2007. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Our discussion of Anglo-Saxon kennings inspired listener Paul Holler of Arlington Heights, Illinois, to write a lovely poem exploring the idea of the kenning sea-guest, meaning “sailor,” and what it means to be a guest of the sea and what that says...
In 1916, a small-town newspaper in Pennsylvania printed a fanciful item about a local gathering with a guest list that included, among others, Miss Ella Vader, Mr. Ray Zor, and other punny names. This is part of a complete episode. Transcript of...