He was born in Newport, Rhode Island, and entered the Navy on September 29, 1862 as a cadet midshipman at the United States Naval Academy. He graduated from the Academy in 1866 as a Passed Midshipman. He was promoted to ensign in April 1868, master on March 26, 1869, lieutenant on March 21, 1880 and lieutenant commander in March 1887. He was Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Squadron from 1906 to the formation of the Pacific Fleet in 1907. He remained as Commander-in-Chief of the Pacific Fleet until his retirement on August 24, 1909.