Why were small, white, smooth commercial beans called "Navy beans"?

Small, white, smooth commercial beans were called “Navy beans” because they became a common staple in the U.S. Navy, especially by the early 1900s.

The name refers to their regular use in sailors’ provisions, not to their color or to a bean shaped like a naval object. Dried beans were inexpensive, nutritious, easy to store, and practical for feeding crews on long voyages. Historical references place their use aboard U.S. Navy ships as far back as the mid-1800s, with the name becoming firmly associated with the Navy in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Navy bean is a market name for a small white cultivar of the common bean, Phaseolus vulgaris. The same or closely related beans may also be called haricot beans, pearl haricots, Boston beans, white pea beans, or pea beans. They are especially valued because they hold their shape reasonably well while becoming creamy when cooked.

A common mix-up is assuming “navy” describes a blue color; navy beans are actually white. They are also closely associated with baked beans and navy bean soup. Senate Bean Soup, served at the U.S. Capitol since the early 20th century, is another famous American preparation using this type of bean.