supercargo \su`percar"go\, n. super- + cargo: cf. sp.
   sobrecargo. cf. surcharge.
   an officer or person in a merchant ship, whose duty is to
   manage the sales, and superintend the commercial concerns, of
   the voyage.
   1913 webster
see also:
surcharge 

supercargo
     n : an officer on a merchant ship in charge of the cargo and its
         sale and purchase
     also: supercargoes pl
see also:
supercargoes 

supercargo, mar. law. a person specially employed by the owner of a cargo to 
take charge of the merchandise which has been shipped, to sell it to the 
best advantage, and to purchase returning cargoes and to receive freight, as 
he may be authorized. 
     2. supercargoes have complete control over the cargo, and everything 
which immediately concerns it, unless their authority is either expressly or 
impliedly restrained. 12 east, r. 381. under certain circumstances, they are 
responsible for the cargo; 4 mass. 115; see 1 gill  john. 1; but the 
supercargo has no power to interfere with the government of the ship. 3 
pardes. n. 646; 1 boulay-paty, dr. com. 421.