MASTER of a Ship, an officer to whom is committed the direction of a merchant-vessel, who commands it in chief, and is charged with the merchandises aboard.
In the Mediterranean the master is frequently called patron, and in long voyages captain.
It is the proprietor of the vessel that appoints the master; and it is the master who provides the equipage, hires the pilots, sailors, &c. The master is obliged to keep a register of the seamen and officers, the terms of their contract, the receipts and payments, and, in general, of every thing relating to his commission.