How far back in time could a ship like USS Texas with coal-fired boilers go and still be supported?
Short answerRoman Britain at Rome's height is the earliest suggested case, provided mining could supply enough usable coal. Fuel alone would leave problems with lubricants, clean feedwater, and dry docking.
NotesA coal-fired USS Texas might obtain usable fuel as far back as Roman Britain, provided the Roman economy could organise mining on the necessary scale. The coal need not be ideal, although poorer fuel would require more cleaning. Medieval European knowledge of coal does not by itself establish the mines and supporting organisation needed to supply a battleship. Some Renaissance states, parts of China, and periods of Japanese stability are considered alternative support bases. Lubricants and sufficiently clean boiler feedwater introduce additional limits, while dry docking remains an unresolved difficulty. Even the Roman answer applies to a period of strong resources and organisation, rather than to every stage of Roman history.