[HandyDandy]

I suppose the crew, at some point, realized they were still attached to the torpedo and the target.

[TXnMA]

No, they knew the situation before they left Breach Inlet: as I said above, the torpedo was bolted solidly to the pipe spar.

I have actual photos of the torpedo's recovered remnants still bolted to the spar -- but, they are Lasch Lab property, and I'm not at liberty to share them...