We still don’t know what fate awaits Puget Sound’s once-cherished Steel Electric ferries, which were grounded last year for safety reasons.

A deal to sell them all for scrap was suspended when metal prices crashed. Now, Washington State Ferries is seeking a better deal.

The Illahee, Kliciktat, Nisqually and Quinault served the Puget Sound area well for decades and it was unfortunate to see them all sold for scrap. It seems that someone, somewhere, would have come up with a better use for at least one of the boats. Ideas were plentiful, such as serving as a maritime museum, tourist draw or even converting one into retail space in some waterfront community, but nobody ever put serious money behind those ideas.

Perhaps this time, a better idea than scrapping all four vessels will be submitted. Puget Sound will never be the same without at least one of the Steel Electrics around to show future generations how people once crossed the waters. The newer ferries are bigger and faster, but not nearly as quaint and friendly-feeling. Please, somebody save a Steel Electric.