Could battleships have combined steam and gas propulsion?

Could battleships ever have used combined steam and gas propulsion?

Yes in a sufficiently prolonged battleship era, but a modern version would more plausibly combine nuclear power with gas turbines.

Combined steam and gas was a theoretical possibility if war had been delayed until the 1950s. A modern version would more plausibly combine nuclear power with gas turbines. A small modular reactor could meet constant power needs, hotel loads, and cruising demand. Gas turbines could then supply additional power for systems such as railguns and lasers.