Albany class cruiser
Encyclopedia
The Albany Class guided missile cruisers were converted Baltimore
and Oregon City
class heavy cruiser
s of the United States Navy
. All original superstructure and weapons were removed and replaced. The converted ships had new very high superstructures and relied heavily on aluminum to save weight.
, was converted at Boston Naval Shipyard starting in January 1959 and recommissioning as CG-10 on November 3, 1962. , a Baltimore class cruiser
, was converted at San Francisco Naval Shipyard
starting in July 1959 and was recommissioning as CG-11 on May 2, 1964. was originally slated to be CG-12, but was converted instead. Columbus was converted at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
beginning in September 1959 and recommissioning as CG-12 on December 1, 1962. and were also proposed for conversion to CG-13 and CG-14, but those plans were dropped because of the high cost of the conversion and capabilities of newer guided missile frigates.
long-range surface-to-air missile
s, one forward and one aft. These cruisers also carried an armament of 84 shorter-ranged Tartar missile
s launched from two Mk 11 twin launchers, one to the port of and one to the starboard of the cruiser's main superstructure. The Tartar missiles were controlled by the Mk 74 missile fire-control system with four AN/SPG-51
fire-control radars. Some space was allocated amidships on these cruisers for the possible installation of eight Polaris missiles, but the concept to add these ballistic missiles were dropped in mid-1959.
For anti-submarine warfare
(ASW), one eight-cell Mk 112 "matchbox" ASROC
missile launcher was installed amidships on each of these cruisers, located between their two stacks. Also for ASW purposes, two triple Mk 32
torpedo tubes for the Mk 46 ASW torpedo were installed.
These cruisers were initially converted into all-missile warship
s with no naval guns, but later on, two open-mount Mk 24 5-inch 38 calibre guns were added to the port side and the starboard side, near their aft exhaust stacks.
In the late 1960's Chicago and Albany underwent major engineering overhauls and both the missile systems (Talos and Tartar) had new digital fire control system upgrades to handle the increasing threat from Soviet Navy anti-ship cruise missiles and aircraft. Columbus did not receive these missile system upgrades due to lack of funding. The Talos system was deactivated on the Albany class (leaving them with the Tartar as the only SAM system operational) and all other ships in the fleet that carried it during 1976.
In late 1979 the two surviving ships (Chicago and Albany) were scheduled for massive overhauls. SM-1 (MR) missiles (which were to replace the Tartar system), as well as 2 Phalanx CIWS
and 2 four-cell Harpoon missile
launchers were planned to be installed, as well as a major refitting of the ships machinery, structure, and electronics. The funding appropriated for this work was diverted however, to other ships and both cruisers were finally decommissioned in 1980.
in the Pacific, and the Albany serving likewise as the Second Fleet
flagship in the Western Atlantic and as the Sixth Fleet
flagship in the Mediterranean. Columbus did not receive the extensive Talos
fire-control upgrades and extensive refits that the other two ships received in the late 60's, though she did receive engineering overhauls to allow her remain active until she was decommissioned early in 1976, and then immediately sold for scrap. Albany and Chicago soldiered on until 1980, and while funding for massive overhauls for both was appropriated for 1979, the funds were diverted to other projects, and both ships were laid up in 1980.
Baltimore class cruiser
The Baltimore class cruiser was a type of heavy cruiser in the United States Navy from the last years of the Second World War. Fast and heavily armed, ships like the Baltimore cruisers were mainly used by the Navy in World War II to protect the fast aircraft carriers in carrier battle groups...
and Oregon City
Oregon City class cruiser
The Oregon City class were a class of heavy cruisers of the United States Navy. Although it was intended to build ten, only four were completed – one of those as a command ship...
class heavy cruiser
Heavy cruiser
The heavy cruiser was a type of cruiser, a naval warship designed for long range, high speed and an armament of naval guns roughly 203mm calibre . The heavy cruiser can be seen as a lineage of ship design from 1915 until 1945, although the term 'heavy cruiser' only came into formal use in 1930...
s of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. All original superstructure and weapons were removed and replaced. The converted ships had new very high superstructures and relied heavily on aluminum to save weight.
Class description
The conversion was extensive, stripping the ships down to their hulls, removing all armament and the ship's superstructure. , an Oregon City class cruiserOregon City class cruiser
The Oregon City class were a class of heavy cruisers of the United States Navy. Although it was intended to build ten, only four were completed – one of those as a command ship...
, was converted at Boston Naval Shipyard starting in January 1959 and recommissioning as CG-10 on November 3, 1962. , a Baltimore class cruiser
Baltimore class cruiser
The Baltimore class cruiser was a type of heavy cruiser in the United States Navy from the last years of the Second World War. Fast and heavily armed, ships like the Baltimore cruisers were mainly used by the Navy in World War II to protect the fast aircraft carriers in carrier battle groups...
, was converted at San Francisco Naval Shipyard
San Francisco Naval Shipyard
The San Francisco Naval Shipyard was a United States Navy shipyard in San Francisco, California, located on of waterfront at Hunters Point in the southeast corner of the city...
starting in July 1959 and was recommissioning as CG-11 on May 2, 1964. was originally slated to be CG-12, but was converted instead. Columbus was converted at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard
Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility is a United States Navy shipyard covering 179 acres on Puget Sound at Bremerton, Washington...
beginning in September 1959 and recommissioning as CG-12 on December 1, 1962. and were also proposed for conversion to CG-13 and CG-14, but those plans were dropped because of the high cost of the conversion and capabilities of newer guided missile frigates.
Weapons and systems
The weapon systems carried included the Mk 77 missile fire-control system with four AN/SPG-49 fire-control radars and two Mk 12 twin launchers for their armament of 104 TalosRIM-8 Talos
The Bendix RIM-8 Talos was a long-range naval surface-to-air missile, and was among the earliest surface-to-air missiles to equip United States Navy ships. The Talos used radar beam riding for guidance to the vicinity of its target, and semiactive radar homing for terminal guidance...
long-range surface-to-air missile
Surface-to-air missile
A surface-to-air missile or ground-to-air missile is a missile designed to be launched from the ground to destroy aircraft or other missiles...
s, one forward and one aft. These cruisers also carried an armament of 84 shorter-ranged Tartar missile
RIM-24 Tartar
The General Dynamics RIM-24 Tartar was a medium-range naval surface-to-air missile , and was among the earliest surface-to-air missiles to equip United States Navy ships...
s launched from two Mk 11 twin launchers, one to the port of and one to the starboard of the cruiser's main superstructure. The Tartar missiles were controlled by the Mk 74 missile fire-control system with four AN/SPG-51
AN/SPG-51
The AN/SPG-51 is a tracking / illumination radar for RIM-66 Standard missiles. It is used for target tracking and Surface-to-air missile guidance on s, s, and s.The French Cassard class frigates also utilise this system.Older variants were used on s....
fire-control radars. Some space was allocated amidships on these cruisers for the possible installation of eight Polaris missiles, but the concept to add these ballistic missiles were dropped in mid-1959.
For anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare
Anti-submarine warfare is a branch of naval warfare that uses surface warships, aircraft, or other submarines to find, track and deter, damage or destroy enemy submarines....
(ASW), one eight-cell Mk 112 "matchbox" ASROC
ASROC
ASROC is an all-weather, all sea-conditions anti-submarine missile system. Developed by the United States Navy in the 1950s, it was deployed in the 1960s, updated in the 1990s, and eventually installed on over 200 USN surface ships, specifically cruisers, destroyers, and frigates...
missile launcher was installed amidships on each of these cruisers, located between their two stacks. Also for ASW purposes, two triple Mk 32
Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes
The Mark 32 Surface Vessel Torpedo Tubes system is a torpedo launching system designed for the United States Navy. The Mark 32 has been the standard anti-submarine torpedo launching system aboard United States Navy surface vessels since its introduction in 1960, and in use aboard the warships of...
torpedo tubes for the Mk 46 ASW torpedo were installed.
These cruisers were initially converted into all-missile warship
Warship
A warship is a ship that is built and primarily intended for combat. Warships are usually built in a completely different way from merchant ships. As well as being armed, warships are designed to withstand damage and are usually faster and more maneuvrable than merchant ships...
s with no naval guns, but later on, two open-mount Mk 24 5-inch 38 calibre guns were added to the port side and the starboard side, near their aft exhaust stacks.
In the late 1960's Chicago and Albany underwent major engineering overhauls and both the missile systems (Talos and Tartar) had new digital fire control system upgrades to handle the increasing threat from Soviet Navy anti-ship cruise missiles and aircraft. Columbus did not receive these missile system upgrades due to lack of funding. The Talos system was deactivated on the Albany class (leaving them with the Tartar as the only SAM system operational) and all other ships in the fleet that carried it during 1976.
In late 1979 the two surviving ships (Chicago and Albany) were scheduled for massive overhauls. SM-1 (MR) missiles (which were to replace the Tartar system), as well as 2 Phalanx CIWS
Phalanx CIWS
The Phalanx CIWS is an anti-ship missile defense system. It is a close-in weapon system and was designed and manufactured by the General Dynamics Corporation, Pomona Division...
and 2 four-cell Harpoon missile
Boeing Harpoon
The Harpoon is an all-weather, over-the-horizon, anti-ship missile system, developed and manufactured by McDonnell Douglas . In 2004, Boeing delivered the 7,000th Harpoon unit since the weapon's introduction in 1977...
launchers were planned to be installed, as well as a major refitting of the ships machinery, structure, and electronics. The funding appropriated for this work was diverted however, to other ships and both cruisers were finally decommissioned in 1980.
Service history
All three ships served extensively through the 60's and 70's with Chicago being a long time flagship for the Third FleetThird Fleet
The name Third Fleet can refer to:* United States 3rd Fleet* Third Fleet , part of the British effort of the late eighteenth century to colonise Australia* IJN 3rd Fleet, Imperial Japanese Navy...
in the Pacific, and the Albany serving likewise as the Second Fleet
Second Fleet
The Second Fleet or 2nd fleet may be:* Second Fleet , the second convict party sent to Port Jackson in 1790* IJN 2nd Fleet, Imperial Japanese Navy* United States Second Fleet, United States Navy* Legio II Adiutrix...
flagship in the Western Atlantic and as the Sixth Fleet
Sixth Fleet
Sixth Fleet or 6th fleet may mean:* United States Sixth Fleet* IJN 6th Fleet, Imperial Japanese Navy* Luftflotte 6-See also:* Fifth * Fleet * Fifth Fleet * Seventh Fleet...
flagship in the Mediterranean. Columbus did not receive the extensive Talos
RIM-8 Talos
The Bendix RIM-8 Talos was a long-range naval surface-to-air missile, and was among the earliest surface-to-air missiles to equip United States Navy ships. The Talos used radar beam riding for guidance to the vicinity of its target, and semiactive radar homing for terminal guidance...
fire-control upgrades and extensive refits that the other two ships received in the late 60's, though she did receive engineering overhauls to allow her remain active until she was decommissioned early in 1976, and then immediately sold for scrap. Albany and Chicago soldiered on until 1980, and while funding for massive overhauls for both was appropriated for 1979, the funds were diverted to other projects, and both ships were laid up in 1980.
Ships in class
| Ship Name | Hull No. | Builder | Commission– Decommission |
Fate | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albany USS Albany (CA-123) USS Albany was a United States Navy Oregon City-class heavy cruiser, later converted to the guided missile cruiser CG-10. The converted cruiser was the lead ship the new Albany guided missile cruiser class... |
CA-123/CG-10 | Bethlehem Steel Fore River Shipyard The Fore River Shipyard of Quincy, Massachusetts, more formally known as the Fore River Ship and Engine Building Company, was a shipyard in the United States from 1883 until 1986. Located on the Weymouth Fore River, the yard began operations in 1883 in Braintree, Massachusetts before being moved... , Quincy |
1946–1980 | Disposed of, sold by DRMS Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service DLA Disposition Services is part of the United States Defense Logistics Agency... for scrapping, 08/12/1990 |
NVR DANFS |
| Chicago USS Chicago (CA-136) USS Chicago was a Baltimore class heavy cruiser laid down on 28 July 1943 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA, by the Philadelphia Navy Yard. Launched on 20 August 1944 she was sponsored by Mrs. Edward J. Kelly, wife of the Mayor of Chicago, Illinois, and commissioned at the Philadelphia Navy Yard... |
CA-136/CG-11 | Philadelphia Naval Shipyard Philadelphia Naval Shipyard The Philadelphia Naval Business Center, formerly known as the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard and Philadelphia Navy Yard, was the first naval shipyard of the United States. The U.S. Navy reduced its activities there in the 1990s, and ended most of them on September 30, 1995... |
1945–1980 | Disposed of, sold by DRMS Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service DLA Disposition Services is part of the United States Defense Logistics Agency... for scrapping, 10/24/1991 |
NVR DANFS |
| Columbus USS Columbus (CA-74) The third USS Columbus , a Baltimore-class heavy cruiser, was the second ship of the United States Navy named for Columbus, Ohio. She was launched 30 November 1944 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, Massachusetts; she was sponsored by Mrs. E. G... |
CA-74/CG-12 | Bethlehem Steel Fore River Shipyard The Fore River Shipyard of Quincy, Massachusetts, more formally known as the Fore River Ship and Engine Building Company, was a shipyard in the United States from 1883 until 1986. Located on the Weymouth Fore River, the yard began operations in 1883 in Braintree, Massachusetts before being moved... , Quincy |
1945–1975 | Disposed of, sold by DRMS Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service DLA Disposition Services is part of the United States Defense Logistics Agency... for scrapping, 11/01/1977 |
NVR |