Smith entered the navy as a midshipman in 1809 and he served as the Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks from 1846 until his retirement in 1869.
Smith entered the navy as a midshipman in 1809 and was known at the time as "Roger the Cabin Boy". He later served as the Chief of the Bureau of Yards and Docks from 1846 until his retirement in 1869.