Joseph Smith | |
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| Born | (1790-03-30)March 30, 1790 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Died | January 17, 1877(1877-01-17) (aged 86) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Buried | Oak Hill Cemetery Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Branch | United States Navy |
| Service years | 1809–1871 |
| Rank | Rear admiral |
| Commands | USSOhio Mediterranean Squadron Bureau of Yards and Docks |
| Conflicts | |
Joseph Smith (March 30, 1790 – January 17, 1877) was arear admiral of theUnited States Navy, who served during theWar of 1812, theMexican–American War, and theAmerican Civil War.
Smith was born inBoston, Massachusetts, and was raised inHanover, Massachusetts, where he was raised around a maritime centered family. As the Smith family owned Smith's Shipyard from 1792 to 1819, the Smith family created a respected name in Hanover's and theNorth River (Massachusetts Bay) shipbuilding community.[1] Smith entered the United States Navy as amidshipman on January 16, 1809. He was promoted to lieutenant during theWar of 1812 on July 24, 1813. He was first lieutenant (i.e. second in command) of the 20-gun brigUSSEagle during theBattle of Lake Champlain on September 11, 1814. Smith was severely wounded during the battle. Along with the other officers who fought in the battle, he received theThanks of Congress and a silver commemorative medal.
He served on board the famed frigateUSSConstellation in theMediterranean Sea from 1815 to 1817.
He was promoted to the rank of master commandant (equivalent to the modern Navy rank of commander) on March 3, 1827, and to captain on February 9, 1837. From 1838 to 1840 he commanded the 74-gun ship of the lineUSSOhio. During this assignment he served as flag captain to the legendary CommodoreIsaac Hull while Hull commanded theMediterranean Squadron.
Smith commanded the Mediterranean Squadron from 1843 to 1845 with the frigateUSSCumberland as his flagship.
In 1846 he was assigned as Chief of theBureau of Yards and Docks and held the position until 1869.
He was placed on the Retired List on December 21, 1861, after having served 52 years in the Navy, but continued to serve in an active capacity.
During the Civil War Smith was a member of theIronclad Board which oversaw the planning, development and construction of theUSSMonitor, the U.S. Navy's firstironclad warship.[2]
Smith's son, LieutenantJoseph B. Smith, was acting commanding officer of the frigateUSSCongress and was killed in action when she was sunk by the Confederate ironcladCSS Virginia on March 8, 1862. When Smith heard theCongress was sunk he said, "Then Joe must be dead." His former flagship, theUSSCumberland, was sunk in the same battle on the same day as the loss of his son.
He was promoted to rear admiral on the retired list on July 16, 1862. He was among the first group of officers promoted to the rank of rear admiral in the United States Navy.
After leaving his position as chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks in the spring of 1869, he served on the board from examining officers for promotion until September 1871, when he was fully retired after 62 years of continuous service in the Navy.
Admiral Smith lived his last years inWashington, D.C., and died on January 17, 1877. His mausoleum is inOak Hill Cemetery.[3]
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