USS Albany was one of three heavy cruisers built during WW-II (USS Albany, USS Chicago and USS Columbus) that were converted into guided missile cruisers during the early 1960s. Although the ship looks very top-heavy, most of the new superstructure was fabricated out of aluminum to save weight. The last cruisers built during WW-II still active in the US Navy, they were finally decommissioned in 1980.