Much has been said about the funnels onboard the Titanic.We know from drawings and technical data that the fourth funnel was a dummy but why.
As was usual at the time the appearance of the ship was of great importance,it had to look good in real life,and in advertisments to give the impression of stability,speed and safety.
Consequently the proportions of the ship were important and for a ship the Size of the TITANIC three funnels would look too few so a forth,and false funnel was added behind the three real funnels.Of course in advertisments illustrations falsely took licence to show smoke coming from the four funnels.

Welcome to the board, Neptune.

I tought about this subject some time ago, and apparently if they did not have such fourth funnel which easily adds 10's of tons of weight to the ship, the ship would probably be harder to sink, cost less at the price of public appearance.

The illustration could hardly depict the sheer size of Titanic without using some refference points from known objects like cars and comparable boats. However because it was so huge than any thing else of that time, the comparison method to show such sheer size was useless. So i think the reason for them to come up with a fourth funnel is for illustration purposes purely to market it easily in real and in poster.

<a href="http://www.titanic.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=71"><img border=0 src="http://www.titanic.com/uploads/thumbs/71.jpg"></a>

Click on the photo, and in the album again for enlargement

While the build quality was already higher than what it supposed to be, However when looked at the fact that the ship broke in half while sinking is mind juggling.

The luxury situation added alot of weight to the ship, Now adays, it is unthinkable that ships like QM2 and other luxury liners will add another funnel just for marketing , these ships now have luxury appearance with the foresight of responsible engineering and functionality for example by a very wide and high double level bridge with the total length full of windows from port to starboard.

<a href="http://www.titanic.com/modules/myalbum/photo.php?lid=267"><img border=0 src="http://www.titanic.com/uploads/thumbs/267.jpg"></a>

Click on the photo, and in the album again for enlargement

You all know what it was used for right?? Or are you just asking why it was made in the first place?

Thanks for your comments, but from the previous posts, it is quite clear what it was supposed to be now isn't it?

Well, thanks for the rude comments, but what I was asking was....does this man want to know why a dummy funnel was created in the fist place? Or, what it was used for after it was created? Because, although it wasn't really needed, it did serve as a purpose once it was made.

He knows, what i think we should do is collaborate on the subject for what is not known yet!

Hi NosiRosie,
I was not asking why a fourth funnel was added i was stating a fact from The Ulster Folk and Transport Museaum educational pack.Also i made no rude comments but thanks for your reply and i understand what your saying.

Hello neptune you old seadog have you been upsetting people already, I thought you new why Titanic had four funnels your explaination is factual so whats the problem.Don't forget my Photo's you promised.

Hi there,I think neptune was stating a fact rather than asking a question,as we have both visited the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum on no less than four occassions i think that neptune checks facts before posting them , as do i myself. No offence meant to anyone out there.

The fourth funnel, although a dummy put in place mainly for appearance, did serve a very real purpose. It was used to help give ventilation to the engine room. Deck plans show that it was mounted directly over and connected to the turbine engine casing.