A barrel is a small, enclosed container, so saying the ladder is like a barrel would imply it is small and cramped, not spacious
Consider the statement "The maintenance access ladder was far and spacious, and he wasn't thrilled about having to carry three people down it.". Based on this "A maintenance access ladder carried them down; it was like a damned barrel , and he wasn't delighted with having three people climbing down on top of him." a true statement? Yes, no, or I don't know?