Cargo and Merchant Vessels

Waterborne vessels built primarily to carry freight, from early merchant sailing ships through the modern container ship, following the same cargo-carrying function even as construction and propulsion changed completely. Belongs here: container ships, bulk and general cargo vessels, and historical merchant sailing ships such as the clipper built for fast cargo runs. Does not belong here: vessels built primarily to carry passengers, grouped under passenger and ocean liner vessels, or small traditional and pre-industrial watercraft, grouped separately even when they carried goods, because their construction and role are closer to that group.