WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):

Secretary of the Navy
    n 1: head of a former executive department; combined with the
         War Secretary to form the Defense Secretary in 1947 [syn:
         Secretary of the Navy, Navy Secretary]

Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856):

SECRETARY OF THE NAVY, government. This officer is appointed by the
president. His duties are to execute all such orders as he shall receive
from the president, relative to the procurement of naval stores and
materials, and the construction, armament, equipment and employment of
vessels of war; as well as all other matters connected with the naval
establishment of the United States; act of 30th April, 1798, s. 1, 1 Story's
Laws, 498; he appoints his own clerks and subordinate officers. Various
other duties are imposed upon him by sundry acts of congress. Vide Gordon's
Dig. art. 370 to 375.
     2. His salary is six thousand dollars. Act of 20th Feb. 1819, 3 Story's
Laws, 1720.