Coal-fired warships as time-travel choices

At what point in history would a 1930s-era warship be preferable to a 21st-century warship?

In earlier periods, a coal-fired ship may be more useful because fuel, maintenance, and machinery support are more achievable.

A coal-fired ship is easier to fuel and maintain in an earlier period than a modern warship. The panel considers coal-powered American standards, long-ranged cruisers, HMS Warrior, HMS Tiger, and older lower-pressure machinery. Sail gives Warrior another source of mobility, while older machinery may tolerate poorer coal at reduced performance. The best choice is the ship whose fuel, crew, and engineering support can survive in the chosen historical setting.