A Naval Biographical Dictionary/Smith, Richard Sidney
SMITH. (Commander, 1846.)
Richard Sidney Smith entered the Navy 19 March, 1827; passed his examination 3 April, 1833; and while serving on the North America and West India station as Mate in the Crocodile 26, Capt. Alex. Milne, was promoted to the rank of Lieutenant 23 Nov. 1841. In Feb. 1842 he was appointed Additional of the Alfred 50, bearing the broad pendant of Commodore John Brett Purvis in South America, where he removed, 15 June following, to the Fantome 16, Capt. Philip Geo. Haymes, and was further, from 1 Aug. 1843 until advanced to his present rank 9 Nov. 1846, employed in the Gorgon steam-ship, Capts. Sir Chas. Hotham and Edw. Crouch. In 1845 he took part in all the services performed under Sir C. Hotham in the river Parana, where he commanded the boats at the cutting-out of a schooner under a heavy fire from the enemy, and was the latter part of the time First-Lieutenant. Agents – Messrs. Halford and Co.