Ferry boat service will link Martha’s Vineyard with the mainland within a few days time, according to an announcement made by Charles S. Norton, director of the New England Steamship company, yesterday.

The ferry, which has become necessary because of the greatly increased automobile traffic, will operated between Vineyard Haven and Woods Hole in connection with the regular New Bedford, Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket steamship line, supplementing that service on a regular schedule timed between the trips of the larger steamers.

The boat is of all steel construction and has electric Diesel engines. It is almost new and will carry between 40 and 50 cars. The boat is 145 feet long. It is understood that the ferry is to become a permanent feature of the Island boat service if business warrants its retention on the line.