‘The Next Ship Home’
By Heather Webb

In 1902, Italian immigrants Francesca and Maria Ricci arrive at Ellis Island. Their entry into America will be at tremendous cost since fragile Maria will pass away at the infirmary there, and Francesca will be coerced to lose her virginity to an evil immigration inspector in return for his signature to clear her passage.

She had escaped her brutal father’s beatings, only to experience sexual abuse by an American assailant. Upon her death bed, Maria made her sister vow to “thrive in America for them both.”

At the same time, Alma Brauer has begun working at the Ellis Island intake center, a job secured by John Lambert as a favor to her severe stepfather, Robert, who demands she contribute to the household. Alma’s dream is to study languages to become an interpreter, but her parents will not support her.

In contrast, her beloved brother Fritz is her closest ally, to whom she is very close. Alma often worries about Fritz since he is involved in a workers’ strike that sometimes becomes violent and is considered anarchy.

Both young women meet at Ellis Island when Alma helps Francesca with interpretation and housing needs. In fact, she will take the new immigrant under her wing during her relocation, as well as helping Francesca gain employment as a cook in the home of a wealthy young man, Mr. Lancaster, whom she encountered on the ship.

Although her presence must be kept secret from his mother, who bears prejudice against Italians, Francesca’s cooking skills win such approval from the elderly Mrs. Lancaster that she is considered indispensable. A romantic relationship also develops between Francesca and Alma’s handsome brother Fritz, who becomes very protective.

However, consequences will ensue from the earlier rape by the immigration officer for which Francesca feels she must flee, her heart and dreams for acceptance and a peaceful life shattered.

As for Alma, her parents are forcing an alliance with the powerful immigration agent John Lambert who secured her the job at Ellis Island. She resists this marriage as long as she possibly can.

Simultaneously, President Roosevelt is dissatisfied with conditions at Ellis Island, where officials there are being investigated for fraud. Before Francesca flees, aware that her dear friend Alma does not want to marry Lambert, she encourages her to stand up for herself and refuse.

As fate intervenes, the investigation will have dire consequences for John Lambert. However, when he threatens to see that Francesca is deported if she testifies against him, she knows she must run away. There is another reason, Francesca feels she must relocate, if you haven’t figured it out already. Despite all this turmoil, there will be a happy ending.

“The Next Ship Home” is not only an interesting novel but also enlightening in that it reveals many of the abuses that took place at Ellis Island, which was finally closed in the1954. Millions passed through this gateway in hopes of a better life, but it was also the site of much sadness and exploitation. A certain John Legerhilder was known to be “dictatorial and cruel” as well as physically aggressive with immigrant women, the basis for the author’s characters, John Lambert and Francesca.

Much of the novel is based on intensive research. Ellis Island center itself was built in 1892 and is today a national monument. From the 12 million who came through its gates, at least 50 percent of all Americans can trace their roots.

In its first year, 493,262 immigrants were admitted, the leading backgrounds including Italian, Pole, Scandinavian, German, Slovak, and Croat. The busiest year of admittance was 1907.

The title of this book, “The Next Ship Home,” is most appropriate, as this was the greatest fear of those seeking admittance at Ellis Island – that they might be turned away if they had no sponsor here or if they showed any signs of illness.

Through her creation of fictional characters, the author explores the multitude of intense emotions experienced by the actual immigrants – hope, fear, vulnerability, courage, resilience, strength, bewilderment and elation upon gaining entrance to a new land. The author is most adept at conveying all.

Donna Bruno is a prizewinning author and poet recently recognized with four awards by National League of American Pen Women.