I did that too, it was hard working in the sun, I also worked on a tobacco farm when I was a teenager, work didn't bother me and I knew the value of money and earned it. If I was a kid today I could make a lot of money and lots of money with no competition, kids are lazy today there's a lot of ways to make money if you are not lazy.
Being the coal drag in the boiler room of a steamship -specially in hot tropical climes in rough seas. He's the guy who hauls coal from the bunkers for the fireman to feed the furnaces.
I never done that kind of work but i've worked in the engine room of modern ships as an oiler.