"mah" wrote...

Is there a set of scoops below the waterline or some type of flush
opening below the waterline to draw in seawater for cooling? Or is it
all "fresh" water that has been drawn through the evaporators.

Is the system similar on any ship? (There, finally a tie into aviation
if a carrier uses a similar powerplant)

The "sea chests" or water intakes are on the bottom of the hull. Same for
virtually any modern steam-powered ship (including aircraft carriers). How that
water is distributed and used differs among ships.