 Porte joined the Royal Navy in 1898 age 14, passing through before he was posted as a midshipman on the training brig in late September 1902.He served on before he was promoted to lieutenant in 1905.Porte transferred to the Royal Navy Submarine Service in 1906 receiving his training on before HMS "Forth" and duties on submarines, his first command was , beginning 1 January 1908.