A barrel is a small, tight space, and it would be uncomfortable to have to climb down on top of someone in such a space.
Consider the statement "The maintenance access ladder was close and tight, and he wasn't thrilled about having to carry three people down it.". Is the statement "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." false? Yes/no/unknown