The Friends Good Will sails along the Chicago skyline after a downpour on Wednesday afternoon, the first day of Tall Ships. The 101-foot ship hails from South Haven, Mich., and is known to normally cruise the upper Great Lakes. | Melissa Klauda for Sun-Times Media

The Peacemaker, left, crosses paths with the Windy, right, just outside of Navy Pier on the first day of Tall Ships. The 150-foot Peacemaker hails from Savannah, Ga., where the 148-foot Windy is right at home in Chicago. | Melissa Klauda for Sun-Times Media

The Hindu makes its way through the pouring rain on Lake Michigan on Wednesday, August 7, 2013. The 79-foot ship's homeport is Key West, Fla. | Melissa Klauda for Sun-Times Media

The Pathfinder from Ontario, Canada cruises along the Chicago skyline on Aug. 7, 2013. Since 1964 the 72-foot ship has been designed for sail training for ages 13-18. The only adult on board is the captain. | Melissa Klauda for Sun-Times Media

The SS Sorlandet circles the city on the first day of Tall Ships Chicago. This Norwegian tall ship last visited Chicago during the World's Fair in 1933. | Peter Holderness~Sun-Times

Tall ships arrive in Chicago, as seen from the Norwegian ship SS Sorlandet, which last visited Chicago in 1933. | Peter Holderness~Sun-Times

Crewmembers of the SS Sorlandet wave to the crowd as they approach Navy Pier on the first day of Tall Ships on Wednesday, August 7, 2013. The 210-foot ship hails from Kristiansand, Norway. | Melissa Klauda for Sun-Times Media

Ships arrive in Chicago for the Tall Ships festival on August 7, 2013. | Peter Holderness~Sun-Times

Madelaine Gorman and Adam Stacey helm the Sorlandet as it docks at Navy Pier to kick off the Tall Ships festival on August 7, 2013. | Peter Holderness~Sun-Times

Ships arrive in Chicago for the Tall Ships festival on August 7, 2013. | Peter Holderness~Sun-Times

The Peacemaker cruises along the Chicago skyline on the afternoon of the first day of Tall Ships on Wednesday, August 7, 2013. The Peacemaker's home port is Savannah, Ga. | Melissa Klauda for Sun-Times Media

Spectators cheer and take photos as the SS Sorlandet makes its way to the dock at Navy Pier on Wednesday, August 7, 2013. The SS Sorlandet is the the oldest operating full rigged ship in the world. | Melissa Klauda for Sun-Times Media