Career
Born in Belfast, Maine, Smith was appointed midshipman on 19 October 1841. After graduating with the Class of 1847, he served at the Washington Navy Yard, in Mississippi and with the United States. Coast Survey. He was promoted to the rank of lieutenant in 1855, and soon afterwards was assigned to the steam frigate Merrimack, his station until 1857.
Smith next had ordnance duty at the Washington Navy Yard, District of Columbia In 1860, he was ordered to frigate, Congress as her first lieutenant.
He was in acting-command of Congress on 8 March 1862, when she was attacked and destroyed by the Confederate ironclad, Computer Software Systems Virginia, and lost his life in the action. Two ships have been named, United States Ship Smith for him.