CAPTAIN of a merchant-ship, he who has the direction of the ship, her crew, and lading, &c. In small ships and short voyages, he is more ordinarily called the master. In the mediterranean, he is called the patroon.
The proprietor of the vessel appoints the captain or master, and he is to form the crew, and chuse and hire the pilots, mates, and seamen; though, when the proprietor and master reside on the same spot, they generally act in concert together.