Early coal use in China does not by itself establish that a historical economy could supply a coal-fired USS Texas. Coal quality, the location of mines, and room to expand production all affect the proposed support base. Transport on the Yellow River or Grand Canal offers a possible route, but the volume required raises a separate question. The eleventh-century expansion of coal production is linked to a timber shortage in northern China, which increased the incentive to develop mining and distribution. Periods of political stability would also give the supporting economy more opportunity to expand. Beyond fuel, the ship still needs suitable lubricants and sufficiently clean boiler feedwater.
Notable Point · 3:57:51-4:01:24
Chinese coal mining and the scale needed to support USS Texas
The Chinese support option depends on expanding mines and transport to battleship scale, with northern timber shortages offered as an explanation for later coal development.