Why screw propellers won at sea but not everywhere

Why did screw propellers eventually succeed over paddle wheels?

They became more efficient and powerful, protected propulsion, and freed gun space, although paddle craft retained shallow-water advantages.

For blue-water warships, the screw could be made more powerful and efficient while leaving the broadside clear and protecting propulsion from gunfire. Those advantages grew as propellers and their supporting systems were refined. That conclusion did not automatically apply in rivers. Paddle vessels could use shallower hull forms and remained attractive where draft, access, and local operating conditions outweighed ocean performance.