Abstract: The disclosed speed-shift apparatus is for a sheet winch with a drum rotatably mounted on a base and can effect the shift of the speed-change ratio and the winch winding by one hand. A one-way transmission means having pawls and pawl-engaging grooves is provided between an input shaft and the winch drum. An interrupting member is rotatably carried by the base so as to selectively disengage said pawls from said pawl-engaging grooves and the interrupting means also has grooves for engaging said pawls.