'Grand Parade Of Sail' Draws Cheers After Fog Delay

BOSTON (CBS/AP) – A foggy start to the day delayed the Grand Parade of Sail for an hour Saturday, but the tall ships finally made their way to Boston Harbor.

The Coast Guard' "Eagle" led the parade of 56 ships from 13 nations past the historic fort guarding Boston Harbor.

"For some reason the Coast Guard effects me. It's a nice day in Boston," one visitor said.

"Incredible, incredible. It was organized so well," another visitor said.

Guide: Sail Boston 2017

The fog lifted and the grand parade of tall masted sailing ships cruised Boston Harbor in front of massive crowds of people. Up to 2 million people were expected for the first Parade of Sail in Boston in 17 years.

One visitor said, "It's like time travelling."

Even though the procession was delayed an hour, Boston mayor Marty Walsh said Boston is still fortunate to host the event.

"Hosting the tall ships has been an incredible honor for the city of Boston. Boston is the only American port for this tall ship regatta," Walsh said.

Some families are making this a tradition.

"This is my fourth one. So I go back a few years. Whenever they come, we come in to see them," one man said as his grand daughter climbed onto his shoulder.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Karyn Regal reports

"It's a lifetime experience. May never happen again for some of us. Just overly excited. It's amazing," said Sue Haley, who was boarding the Spirit of South Carolina.

Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker boarded the USS Whidbey Island. Baker said, "The Parade of Sail was a glorious sight and I was glad to be a part of it."

One of the ships to pass by the U.S.S. Whidbey Island was the Chilean sailing ship Esmeralda. The crew says they're privileged to be in Boston, but that ship had more to offer. They have their own orchestra.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports

The event will last through Thursday when the ships leave port.

(© Copyright 2017 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

WBZ NewsRadio 1030's Carl Stevens reports