Bureau of Navigation

The Bureau of Navigation was a U.S. government agency responsible for managing maritime affairs, including overseeing navigation laws, ship registration, and maritime safety during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It ensured the safe and efficient operation of commercial and maritime transportation, helping regulate shipping practices and enforcing maritime regulations. In 1939, it was merged into the U.S. Coast Guard, which now handles many of these responsibilities, continuing to oversee maritime safety, security, and transportation.