Joseph Smith was an American naval officer, received fame mainly during the American Civil War.
Background
He was born on March 30, 1790 in Hanover, Massachussets, United States, second son of the nine children of Albert and Anne Lenthall (Eells) Smith. He was a descendant of John Smith of Barnstable and Sandwich, Massachussets, who came to America before 1640, and his great-grandfather was the Rev. Thomas Smith of Pembroke, Massachussets. On the maternal side he was descended from John Eells who was in Massachusetts as early as 1634, but who later returned to England and is reported to have fought in Cromwell's army.
Education
At an early age Joseph learned shipbuilding from his father.
Career
On January 16, 1809, he entered the navy as a midshipman and was soon ordered to the Chesapeake, then at Boston. Later in the same year he was furloughed in order that he might make a voyage in the merchant service.
He was ordered to Lake Champlain on October 13, 1812 and later was commissioned lieutenant. As first lieutenant of the Eagle, he assisted her commander, Robert Henley, in building and manning that vessel, and in the battle of Lake Champlain there fell to him the duty of winding ship and bringing to bear on the enemy an uninjured broadside. Although wounded he stayed at his post. In the war with Algiers he served on board the frigate Constellation and participated in engagements with the Algerines.
During the long period of peace following the war, he was often on leave from the navy because there were not enough billets for his continuous employment. He was several times stationed at the Boston or Portsmouth navy yard, occasionally as commander of a receiving ship. He was a lieutenant on board the Guerriere in the Mediterranean in 1818-19, and, in 1828-31, again served on that vessel when it was attached to the Pacific Squadron.
In 1827 he aided in fitting out the Wilkes exploring expedition. From 1838 to 1840 he commanded the Ohio of the Mediterranean Squadron and from 1843 to 1845 he commanded that squadron with the Cumberland as his flagship - his last sea duty. From 1846 until 1869 he was chief of the Bureau of Navy Yards and Docks.
President Lincoln chose him in 1861, as the ranking naval officer of a naval board authorized to examine plans relating to ironclad vessels. From many competing drawings the board chose three, of which one was the plan of the Monitor, submitted by John Ericsson. This choice of the board, made in opposition to naval tradition and expert naval opinion, proved to be epochmaking.
Smith was placed on the reserved list in 1855, but was restored to the active list in 1858, being made a rear-admiral on the retired list in 1862. From 1870 to 1871 he was president of the retiring board. For many years before his death he resided in Washington. He died on January 17, 1877.
Achievements
Joseph Smith has been listed as a noteworthy naval officer by Marquis Who's Who.
Religion
He was a regular attendant at St. John's Episcopal Church in Washington.
Connections
On March 1, 1818, he was married to Harriet Bryant of Nobleboro. They had two sons and two daughters. One of the sons, Joseph Bryant Smith, commanded the Congress when she was attacked by the Merrimac in March 1862, and was killed in the battle.
