Hi RR, (any relation to Charles and Henry?😉)
This question has cropped up before.
The short answer is yes she would have had nav lights.
But please paint the port lightboard red like the light.
Extract from my researches the last time this question arose found here-
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Navigation_light
"Marine navigation
In 1838 the United States passed an act requiring steamboats running between sunset and sunrise to carry one or more signal lights; colour, visibility and location were not specified. In 1846 the United Kingdom passed legislation enabling the Lord High Admiral to publish regulations requiring all sea-going steam vessels to carry lights.[1] The admiralty exercised these powers in 1848 and required steam vessels to display red and green sidelights as well as a white masthead light whilst under way and a single white light when at anchor.[2] In 1849 the U.S. Congress extended the light requirements to sailing vessels.
In 1889 the United States convened the first International Maritime Conference to consider regulations for preventing collisions. The resulting Washington Conference Rules were adopted by the U.S. in 1890 and became effective internationally in 1897. Within these rules was the requirement for steamships to carry a second mast head light. The international 1948 Safety of Life at Sea Conference recommended a mandatory second masthead light solely for power driven vessels over 150 feet in length and a fixed stern-light for almost all vessels. The regulations have changed little since then.[3]
The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) established in 1972 stipulates the requirements for navigation lights required on a vessel."
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Regulations_for_Preventing_Collisions_at_Sea
So your SS Mount Washington, built in 1872, would have had red and green sidelights and a white mast head light.
Great build so far, looking forward to further instalments👍
Cheers, Doug 😎
