Subsidized merchant cruisers/troopships

[KWorld]

How should subsidizing ships that will normally be operating in civillian traffic but that are intended to be used by the military in wartime (like RMS Lusitania and Mauretania) be handled?  Pay for a chunk of the initial cost and part of the annual maintenance?  Or is this concept not done in Navalism?

[Darman]

I'm planning building it as a civilian ship and then maintaining it at reserve status even when its nominally mobilized. 

[The Rock Doctor]

In previous iterations of the sim, I just "Built" the ship to civilian/mercantile standards (1/4 cost) and then it went and did civilian stuff until I had a need for it.  I think I paid the maintenance the same way but don't quote me.

I kinda look forward to building a new Spirit of the Island Commonwealth sometime...she was a purdy ship.