The works of Russian researchers referring directly or indirectly to the so-called «Shichau’s case» are analyzed in the article. This name is related to the name of the German firm specializing on the construction of torpedo boats both for German and foreign fleets, including Russia in the late 1890s and the early 1900s. In 1912 «Shichau» contrary to the current legislation providing the transfer of orders for construction of Russian battleships only to Russian companies, unexpectedly for uninitiated people acquired the right to build two light cruisers in Germany and nine destroyers in its «Myuhlgraben shipyard» branch in Riga. The beginning of the World War I led to the situation when the Navy Ministry didn’t receive the ships, and the treasury suffered substantial financial losses. So the «Shichau’s case» appeared. On the basis of the considered materials the author has estimated the contribution of the wellknown Russian historian K.F. Shatsillo, the modern researchers I.F. Tsvetkov, B.I. Gavrilov, S.P. Shilov to the study of the issue. The author also considers the sides of the studied subject that demand further examination.