The plans, from the Admiralty collection, consist of 9 plans of forts on the West Coast of Africa, drawn up by Captain Thomas Pye in the HUMBER in 1749-50. They consist of plans for the forts at James Island, Dick's Cove, Commeda, Succondee, Cape Coast Castle, Tantumquerry, Winnebah, Accra and Whydah. With the exception of the first for James Island, copies of these plans are also stored at the National Archives, in the papers of the Colonial Office.

Administrative / biographical background
After an enquiry in 1744-5, the forts of the Royal African Company in West Africa were found to be in an unsatisfactory condition, and an appeal was made to Parliament to vote a grant towards their upkeep. In 1748, the issue again came before the Board of Trade and Plantations, and to assist the ensuing enquiry, the Admiralty despatched Captain Thomas Pye in the HUMBER, accompanied by Captain Beard in the SURPRISE, to survey the forts. As a result of the enquiry, trade in west Africa was established on a different basis.