ConnectorJ dont see disconnect

Hi, I have a java program that successfully keeps retrying to connect when
necessary to a mysql server, until it is connected. When this cannot connect
I get Exceptions, which is fine they are dealt with. However, every second
this sends data to the server. I'm currently running the server in a
VMWareServer. If I halt the system running MySQL, my application happy
continues sending data to the server without detecting its there. On all the
exceptions I have Logs attached, and I never see any thing thrown if I halt
it while my application is constantly writing data. How does anyone else
detect dropped network links etc
 
Thanks in advance
 
David