Board of Navy Commissioners
Encyclopedia
The Board of Naval Commissioners was a United States Navy
administrative body in existence from 1815 to 1842, with responsibility for the Navy's material support. The three-member Board was created as part of an expansion of the U.S. Navy Department
at the end of the War of 1812
. The system was implemented by Benjamin W. Crowninshield
, Secretary of the Navy
during the administrations of Presidents James Madison
and James Monroe
.
The establishment of the Board of Naval Commissioners by act of Congress
on February 7, 1815 (3 Stat. 202), was the outgrowth of efforts to relieve the Secretary of the Navy of some of responsibilities connected with the civilian functions of the Navy, so he could devote more time to overall administration.
As naval warfare continued to increase in technical complexity, however, reformers began to consider that the three Commissioners and a minimal staff were not enough to handle the Navy's procurement needs. By the 1840s, it seemed that a functional approach was preferable—one which established bureaus or offices within the Navy Department to focus on specific areas such as shipbuilding or provisioning. This reform was finally achieved during the administration of President John Tyler
, and implemented by his Secretary of the Navy Abel P. Upshur
. An Act of Congress
on August 31, 1842 abolished the Board of Naval Commissioners and established the "bureau system"
in the Department of the Navy. This system, with modifications, lasted until the mid-1960s.
As provided by the act, the board, attached to the Office of the Secretary, was composed of three post-captain
s appointed by the U.S. President
and confirmed by the Senate
; the ranking officer of the board was to be its president. The board was authorized to establish its own regulations and employ a secretary to keep a record of its proceedings and two clerks to assist in other office work. Each commissioner was to receive $3,500 a year in lieu of wages, rations, and other pay due him as a naval officer.
.
Chauncey, Morris, and Warrington also served on the board prior to their appointments to its presidency. Chauncey served 1822-24 and 1833–36; Morris served 1823-25, 1826–27, and 1832–39; and Warrington served 1827-30 and 1840.
(later Secretary of the Navy during the Van Buren
administration) served as secretary of the board from 1815 to 1823. He was succeeded by the Navy Department's long-time chief clerk, Charles W. Goldsborough.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
administrative body in existence from 1815 to 1842, with responsibility for the Navy's material support. The three-member Board was created as part of an expansion of the U.S. Navy Department
United States Department of the Navy
The Department of the Navy of the United States of America was established by an Act of Congress on 30 April 1798, to provide a government organizational structure to the United States Navy and, from 1834 onwards, for the United States Marine Corps, and when directed by the President, of the...
at the end of the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. The system was implemented by Benjamin W. Crowninshield
Benjamin Williams Crowninshield
Benjamin Williams Crowninshield served as the United States Secretary of the Navy between 1815 and 1818, during the administrations of Presidents James Madison and James Monroe.-Biography:...
, Secretary of the Navy
United States Secretary of the Navy
The Secretary of the Navy of the United States of America is the head of the Department of the Navy, a component organization of the Department of Defense...
during the administrations of Presidents James Madison
James Madison
James Madison, Jr. was an American statesman and political theorist. He was the fourth President of the United States and is hailed as the “Father of the Constitution” for being the primary author of the United States Constitution and at first an opponent of, and then a key author of the United...
and James Monroe
James Monroe
James Monroe was the fifth President of the United States . Monroe was the last president who was a Founding Father of the United States, and the last president from the Virginia dynasty and the Republican Generation...
.
The establishment of the Board of Naval Commissioners by act of Congress
Act of Congress
An Act of Congress is a statute enacted by government with a legislature named "Congress," such as the United States Congress or the Congress of the Philippines....
on February 7, 1815 (3 Stat. 202), was the outgrowth of efforts to relieve the Secretary of the Navy of some of responsibilities connected with the civilian functions of the Navy, so he could devote more time to overall administration.
As naval warfare continued to increase in technical complexity, however, reformers began to consider that the three Commissioners and a minimal staff were not enough to handle the Navy's procurement needs. By the 1840s, it seemed that a functional approach was preferable—one which established bureaus or offices within the Navy Department to focus on specific areas such as shipbuilding or provisioning. This reform was finally achieved during the administration of President John Tyler
John Tyler
John Tyler was the tenth President of the United States . A native of Virginia, Tyler served as a state legislator, governor, U.S. representative, and U.S. senator before being elected Vice President . He was the first to succeed to the office of President following the death of a predecessor...
, and implemented by his Secretary of the Navy Abel P. Upshur
Abel P. Upshur
Abel Parker Upshur was an American lawyer, judge and politician from Virginia. Upshur was active in Virginia state politics and later served as Secretary of the Navy and Secretary of State during the Whig administration of President John Tyler...
. An Act of Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
on August 31, 1842 abolished the Board of Naval Commissioners and established the "bureau system"
United States Navy bureau system
The "bureau system" of the United States Navy was the Department of the Navy's material-support organization from 1842 through 1966. The bureau chiefs were largely autonomous, reporting directly to the Secretary of the Navy and managing their respective organizations without the influence of other...
in the Department of the Navy. This system, with modifications, lasted until the mid-1960s.
Establishment and responsibilities
The board had responsibility for the procurement of naval stores and materials; construction, armament, equipment, repair, and preservation of naval vessels; establishment of regulations to secure uniformity in the classes of naval vessels; preparation of estimates of expenditures for different parts of the naval service; and supervision of navy yards, naval stations, and Navy agents. The Secretary of the Navy retained control over personnel and appointments, movement of ships, and other administrative matters not delegated to the board.As provided by the act, the board, attached to the Office of the Secretary, was composed of three post-captain
Post-Captain
Post-captain is an obsolete alternative form of the rank of captain in the Royal Navy.The term served to distinguish those who were captains by rank from:...
s appointed by the U.S. President
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
and confirmed by the Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
; the ranking officer of the board was to be its president. The board was authorized to establish its own regulations and employ a secretary to keep a record of its proceedings and two clerks to assist in other office work. Each commissioner was to receive $3,500 a year in lieu of wages, rations, and other pay due him as a naval officer.
Board presidents
During its 27 years of existence the board had five presidents. All held the courtesy rank of Commodore, as the rank of admiral did not exist in the U.S. Navy until the Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
.
- John Rodgers, 1815–24 and 1827–37;
- William BainbridgeWilliam BainbridgeWilliam Bainbridge was a Commodore in the United States Navy, notable for his victory over HMS Java during the War of 1812.-Early life:...
, 1824–27; - Isaac ChaunceyIsaac ChaunceyIsaac Chauncey was an officer in the United States Navy.-Biography:Chauncey, born in Black Rock, Connecticut, 20 February 1779, was appointed a Lieutenant in the Navy from 17 September 1798...
, 1837–40; - Charles MorrisCharles Morris (naval officer)Commodore Charles Morris, USN was a United States naval officer and administrator whose service extended through the first half of the 19th century.-Biography:...
, 1840–41; and - Lewis WarringtonLewis WarringtonLewis Warrington was an officer in the United States Navy during the Barbary Wars and the War of 1812. He temporarily served as the Secretary of the Navy.-Life and career:...
, 1841–42.
Chauncey, Morris, and Warrington also served on the board prior to their appointments to its presidency. Chauncey served 1822-24 and 1833–36; Morris served 1823-25, 1826–27, and 1832–39; and Warrington served 1827-30 and 1840.
Other commissioners
The officers listed below served as the board's other commissioners.- Isaac HullIsaac Hull-External links:* *...
, 1815 - David PorterDavid Porter (naval officer)David Porter was an officer in the United States Navy in a rank of commodore and later the commander-in-chief of the Mexican Navy.-Life:...
, 1815–22 - Stephen DecaturStephen DecaturStephen Decatur, Jr. , was an American naval officer notable for his many naval victories in the early 19th century. He was born on the eastern shore of Maryland, Worcester county, the son of a U.S. Naval Officer who served during the American Revolution. Shortly after attending college Decatur...
, 1815–20 - Jacob JonesJacob JonesCommodore Jacob Nicholas Jones was an officer in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France, the Barbary Wars, and the War of 1812.-Biography:...
, 1824–26 - Thomas TingeyThomas TingeyThomas Tingey was a Commodore of the United States Navy.-History:Tingey was born in London on 11 September 1750. As a youth, he served in the British Navy commanding a blockhouse at Chateaux Bay on the Labrador coast. He later commanded merchant vessels in the West Indies before coming to the...
, 1827 - Daniel T. PattersonDaniel PattersonDaniel Todd Patterson was an officer in the United States Navy during the Quasi-War with France, the First Barbary War and the War of 1812.-Biography:...
, 1828–32 - Charles StewartCharles Stewart (1778-1869)Charles Stewart was an officer in the United States Navy.Born at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Stewart went to sea at the age of thirteen as a cabin boy and rose through the grades to become master of a merchantman. He grew up with Captain Stephen Decatur and Richard Sommers...
, 1830–33 - Alexander S. WadsworthAlexander S. WadsworthCommodore Alexander Scammel Wadsworth was an officer of the United States Navy. His more than 40 years of active duty included service in the War of 1812.-Biography:...
, 1837–40 - John B. NicolsonJohn B. NicolsonJohn B. Nicolson was an officer in the United States Navy in the first half of the 19th century.Nicolson was a native of Richmond, Virginia. He entered the Navy as a midshipman on July 4, 1805. He served in the brig USS Hornet, commanded by Master Commandant Isaac Chauncey...
, 1840–41 - William M. CraneWilliam M. CraneCommodore William Montgomery Crane was an officer in the United States Navy during the First Barbary War and the War of 1812. He was the son of Gen. William Crane who was wounded at the Battle of Quebec while serving under Richard Montgomery in honor of whom he was given the middle name of...
, 1841–42 - David ConnerDavid Conner (naval officer)Commodore David Conner was an officer of the United States Navy, whose service included the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War. During the 1840s, he served on the Board of Navy Commissioners and as the first Chief of the Bureau of Construction, Equipment, and Repair.Conner was born in...
, 1841–42
Secretaries of the board
James K. PauldingJames Kirke Paulding
James Kirke Paulding was an American writer and, for a time, the United States Secretary of the Navy.-Biography:...
(later Secretary of the Navy during the Van Buren
Martin Van Buren
Martin Van Buren was the eighth President of the United States . Before his presidency, he was the eighth Vice President and the tenth Secretary of State, under Andrew Jackson ....
administration) served as secretary of the board from 1815 to 1823. He was succeeded by the Navy Department's long-time chief clerk, Charles W. Goldsborough.