A chapter in American maritime history will close Tuesday when the last car and passenger-carrying steamboat in North America sails out of Woods Hole harbor.

The retirement of the SS Naushon from the Steamship Authority fleet marks the end of a 170-year era of steam ferry service along the Eastern seaboard.

Senior managers at the Steamship Authority confirmed this week what many people already knew: there are substantially more cars and people coming to Martha’s Vineyard this summer.

Anyone who wants to know about Wayne Lamson quickly runs across the story about how he started with the ferry service as a ticket seller in Woods Hole, during the summers when he attended college.

When the Steamship Authority holds its monthly meeting on Martha's Vineyard Tuesday, the retirement of general manager Wayne Lamson will top the news. The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. in the Oak Bluffs library.

Cameras in hand, at least 30 people gathered at the Steamship Authority slip Monday afternoon to watch the new ferry Woods Hole dock after its ceremonial maiden voyage.

With festive red, white and blue bunting adorning her decks, the Woods Hole sailed into Vineyard Haven Monday afternoon.

Monday will be a day of celebration for the Woods Hole, the newest ferry to join the Steamship Authority fleet. The ferry arrived in Woods Hole harbor Monday morning. Commissioning ceremonies begin at noon. The ferry travels to Vineyard Haven in the afternoon for an open house.

The newest member of the Steamship Authority fleet was in Fairhaven Tuesday for a final fitting out. A formal commissioning and maiden voyage to the Vineyard are planned for June 13 — then all aboard.

The newest Steamship Authority ferry has arrived in Massachusetts waters, docking at the Steamship Authority facility in Fairhaven, just across Buzzards Bay from her future home port.