A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Smith, James
SMITH. (Retired Commander, 1832. f-p., 22; h-p., 43.)
James Smith died, 5 Jan. 1848, at Deal, co. Kent.
This officer entered the Navy, in Jan. 1782, as Fst.-cl. Vol., on board the Gibraltar 80, Capts. Sir Rich. Bickerton and Thos. Hicks, stationed in the East Indies, whence he returned, in the capacity of Midshipman, about Oct. 1784. He was next, from Oct. 1785 until Sept. 1791, employed at Portsmouth in the Ardent 64, Capt. Francis John Hartwell, Goliath 74, Capt. Arch. Dickson, and Bellona 74, Capt. F. J. Hartwell. Rejoining the officer last mentioned in Jan. 1793, on board the Thetis frigate, he made a voyage with him to St. Helena; on his return whence he removed as Master’s Mate, in Oct. of the same year, to the Defence 74, Capt. Jas. Gambier. In that ship he fought in Lord Howe’s actions, 28 and 29 May and 1 June, 1794. After serving for a few months in the Raisonnable 64, bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Wm. Parker in the West Indies, he was promoted, 3 March, 1795, to the rank of Lieutenant. From the following Nov. until Feb. 1796, he served at Deptford in the Phoenix 36, Capt. Lawrence Wm. Halsted; and from 31 Oct. 1803 until 14 April, 1814, he had charge of a Signal station near Blakeney. He was placed on the Junior list of Retired Commanders 26 Nov. 1830; and on the Senior 20 Aug. 1832.