People with a bit of spare money and an interest in the USS New York have been given a chance to place items aboard the Navy vessel. This is possible because, believe it or not, the ship is being outfitted with pieces from the Tiffany silverware outfit.

While the idea sounds odd or even laughable at first listen, there is a precedent. Jennifer 8. Lee wrote, “Naval vessels often have a tradition of ’ship’s silver’ that is brought out for special and diplomatic occasions, said Sally C. McElwreath, the director for the U.S.S. New York commissioning committee.”

The thing is that, instead of letting some state or corporation foot the bill, the public can get involved this time. An online registry’s been established so that anybody can pick out something that suits their taste and budget.

Then, people who order pieces can have the name of an organization or an individual engraved on them. (Lee wisely suggested, “[P]erhaps that of a service member or a family member who perished on Sept. 11.”)

Orders will be accepted up to and after the ship’s commissioning date of November 7th. This is a truly interesting way of letting people interact with the USS New York.