Hi Bob,
In years gone by, the ships that superceded sailing ships were all steam driven, first fuelled by coal and then oil. In the 1920s, motor ships began to be developed and they were powered by diesel engines (motors) and the term motorship came out at that time. By the early 1980s steam power was well into a decline at sea and only large ships were driven by steam. But with the escalating cost of fuel, steam became non-viable. My old ship, the 36,000 ton WINDSOR CASTLE, guzzled oil at the rate of about 250 tons per day to drive the twin screw steam turbines that moved us along at 22.5 knots service speed .
I doubt if there are many steamers still sailing these days – well over 99% of them are motor ships driven by highly eficient diesel engines.
Robin
Larger scale was simply because it was a private commission. I prefer smaller scales though. I gave up entering competitions years ago, because my type of preferred ship is so alien to the judges, they never stood a chance. Cost of getting them to London & back is also prohibitive.
Even at the local model club with over 60 members, they rarely attract more than a passing glance!
Bob