From the questions asked in The Ely Inquest, what kind of information was being

sought?

it is the code of hammurabi

the triple alliance. germany and austria-hungary were already allies by 1879 when, worried about a threat from russia, they formed the dual alliance. italy joined the group in 1882. there was a concern about a possible attack from france and the alliance needed powerful friends to defend it.

that would be the steamboat because none of the other things are forms of transportation