Central Europeans useful on barges? (5)
I believe the answer is:
poles
This clue could be a double definition.
'central europeans' is the first definition.
'poles' can be an answer for 'europeans' (Pole is an example). I'm unsure of the 'central' bit.
'useful on barges?' is the second definition.
The answer and definition can be both man-made objects as well as being plural nouns.
Maybe there's a link between them I don't understand?
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for poles that I've seen before include "Rods of wood or metal" , "Extremities of the earth's axis" , "East Europeans" , "Nationality of citizens of Warsaw" , "People from Warsaw?" .)