diff --git a/vacuum_gambit.p8 b/vacuum_gambit.p8
index 0103caa..35d7a07 100644
--- a/vacuum_gambit.p8
+++ b/vacuum_gambit.p8
@@ -1533,7 +1533,7 @@ function flotilla:load(ulc_cx, ulc_cy, lvl)
      -- and we allow alternates
      -- for this type of ship
      ship_t+=(uv>>ship_t&0x1)&(f&0x10>>4)
-     add(row, self.ship_bases[ship_t]:new{col=cx-ulc_cx})
+     add(row, self.ship_bases[ship_t].new{col=cx-ulc_cx})
     end
    end
    cx += 1
@@ -1544,6 +1544,7 @@ function flotilla:load(ulc_cx, ulc_cy, lvl)
    -- keep the row; count it
    for s in all(row) do
     counts[s.ship_t] += 1
+    s.x,s.y=rnd_spawn_loc()
     eships:push_back(s)
    end
    add(rows, row)