supercargo

American  

[soo-per-kahr-goh, soo-per-kahr-] / ˌsu pərˈkɑr goʊ, ˈsu pərˌkɑr- /

noun

plural

supercargoes, supercargos

1. a merchant-ship officer who is in charge of the cargo and the commercial concerns of the voyage.

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supercargo British  

/ ˌsuːpəˈkɑːɡəʊ /

noun

1. an officer on a merchant ship who supervises commercial matters and is in charge of the cargo

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Etymology

Origin of supercargo

1690–1700; < Spanish sobrecargo, with sobre- over (< Latin super ) Latinized; replacing supracargo (with supra- for Spanish sobre- ); cargo

Example Sentences

“You wouldn’t throw much weight on a halyard—that's one thing sure. But you’d do all right as ship’s clerk. You might work up to supercargo.”

From Literature

As there is no motive for concealment, I am permitted to use them, and accordingly send you a rescript, simply omitting technical details of seamanship and supercargo.

From Literature

Robert Campbell of the University of Rhode Island, one of Healey’s supercargo of scientists, outlined the details at Arctic Frontiers, a scientific conference held in Tromso, Norway, last month.

From Economist

For the most part, he had worked hard; at first as Columbine's mate and supercargo, afterwards as a merchant's clerk.

From Project Gutenberg

Gratified by his conduct, the owners placed him on board the brig John, as master and supercargo, and despatched him to the West Indies.

From Project Gutenberg