Cook, however, had no such ship! (5)
I believe the answer is:
steam
'cook' is the definition.
(I know that steam is a type of cook)
I can't explain the remainder of the clue.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for steam that I've seen before include "Energy (colloq.)" , "Vaporous exhalation" , "Old-fashioned power" , "Driving force" , "Engine driver" .)