Board of Navy Commissioners 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 . 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 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 . Notable personnel . 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 War . 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 . Secretaries of the board . James K . Paulding ( 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 .