Name Joseph Smith Commands held USS Congress | Rank Lieutenant (navy) Years of service 1841–1862 | |
 | ||
Died 8 March 1862 (aged 35–36)
off Newport News, Virginia Allegiance United States of America | ||
Service/branch United States Navy | ||
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Joseph B. Smith (1826–8 March 1862) was an officer in the United States Navy who was killed in action during the American Civil War.
Contents
Early life and education
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 U.S. 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, D.C.
Career
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, CSS Virginia, and lost his life in the action. When his father, Captain Joseph Smith, heard of the surrender of Congress, he said, "Then Joe is dead," feeling that she never would have surrendered while his son lived.
Legacy
Two ships have been named, USS Smith for him.