10 Unusual Facts You Didn't Know About The Titanic
5. Only Three Of Titanics Four Funnels Were Real
The Titanic's mighty engines were powered by large coal-burning furnaces, and these furnaces produced smoke and excess steam that needed to be safely ventilated away from the ship. This was achieved through the use of smokestacks. The Titanic's design, with four of these monstrous funnels towering above its decks is one that is instantly recognisable around the globe.
However, only three of the four actually worked, with the forth being added merely for aesthetic purposes. When building the Titanic and her sister ship the Olympic, The White Star Line wanted to break its rival Cunards record for the largest passenger liners afloat. Cunard held that title with its ships Lusitania and Mauritania, both of which had four funnels. White Star knew they could have no fewer funnels than their rivals for fear that the ships would not look anywhere near as impressive.