Just out of idle interest, and because it seemed a good idea at the time, I had a go with Audacity at simming a sound track.
Create the file. Using the "generate" button, I generated 30 seconds of 100Hz, then below it 30 secinds of 10Hz. Cut and pasted the 10 into the 100 and exported the result into an .mp3 file. (Never try to save anything with Audacity, always "export" it to have a useful file.)
Result. Playing this back through the laptop speakers did nothing noticable. Much the same with extension speakers. Via a "proper" amplifier that can deliver good power, and with decent speakers that can handle it, a satisfying pulsing rumble, but only with the wick turned up beyond what I consider "normal for music".
Conclusion. As predicted by the laws of physics, it needs a hefty speaker to do the job, which needs an amplifier capable of driving it. Importantly, this speaker needs the right enclosure. Mine has about 4 feet of convoluted, tapered, damped tunnel between the back of the speaker and the outside port, which might not be easy to arrange on a model ship, even a 1:1"realistic" level, more tan a few feet away, I wouldn't notice it.