KateG,

The inclined plane was certainly used earlier than 1830. There is an earlier example, the Hay Inclined Plane, at the Ironbridge World Heritage Site link here, or if you prefer,

"Item 10: Hay Inclined Plane, William Reynolds
Location: Approaching Coalport, before the Shakespeare Inn

The genius behind the Shropshire tub-boat canal system was William Reynolds (1758-1803), cousin of Abraham Darby III. He surveyed the route and oversaw the construction of the canal. The first of the six inclined planes, for which the Shropshire canals are famous, was built on Reynolds' private canal at Ketley.

The Hay incline was the equivalent of 27 locks and was worked by only four men. It could pass a pair of five ton tub-boats in four minutes whereas it would have taken up to three hours to raise a vessel up 27 locks.

By 1800, chains replaced the hemp ropes (see trail in partnership with the Eden Project).

In May 1801 four tub-boats were destroyed when a chain broke and a boat and cradle hurtled to the bottom. Later, wire ropes replaced the chains."