How do you split a group of sprites if they aren't connected?

I've been trying to figure out how Space Engineers and Cosmoteer does it but everything I try doesn't work and google isn't a help whatsoever. How do you split an array of sprites based on where they are in the structure's grid/how they're touching and put the two or more groups into separate arrays? Example: an array of coordinates and sprite texture values makes up a ship (like in my spacerocks thing). If a line of sprites are removed so the structure is cut "in half" the two pieces get their own array element.