It was afterwards ascertained that fifty-six vessels were lost in the same storm on the southern coast of Great Britain that night.
When the lighter reached Queenstown, the passengers were full of excitement in regard to Paul's wonderful feat and they spread the story broadcast both in Queenstown and Cork.

To their disgust, they found that the people disbelieved them and laughed at them saving: "This is a fine Yankee yarn you are springing on us now." To convince the skeptical people of Cork, a party of them telegraphed all over the coast to see if they could not find Paul, to verify their story and from Skibbereen they learned that a man answering that description had passed through there and was now on his way to Cork.
When Paul arrived at the station he found himself surrounded by many of his late fellow passengers, who enthusiastically received him and escorted him to the hotel.

The news of his remarkable adventure spread over Cork as rapidly as it had over Skibbereen, so that the hotel was thronged with eager people, the newspaper fraternity being well represented.

It was late that night before he got through with his persistent interviewers and before he woke next morning, the story of his extraordinary adventure and daring was all over America.

The Cork papers contained columns, describing his struggle with the ocean.
Before he could dress himself, cards came showering into his room and when he went down he found the hotel packed with people eager to see him.