She sailed north on 16 June, and arrived at Petropavlovsk 33 days later, where the captain of the Russian corvette Streloch offered "any needed assistance" on behalf of his government.

As they looked for clues of the missing ship, the crew of Rodgers surveyed the area and proved that Wrangel was an island and not the southern edge of a polar land mass.

The first week in October she left a party, under Master Charles F. Putnam, on Tiapka Island off Cape Serdze with provisions, supplies, and fuel for a year; and a boat, dogs, and sleds to explore the coast westward in search of the crews of Jeanette and the missing whalers.

On 8 October 1881, Rodgers steamed for Saint Lawrence Bay, where bad weather prevented the transfer of a large part of her provisions and supplies to the shore.

On 24 March, they arrived at the Russian post at Nishne and learned of the landing of part of Jeanette's crew at the mouth of the Lena River the previous September.

The remaining members of the crew departed Saint Lawrence Bay in May on board the New Bedford whaler North Star and were subsequently transferred to the revenue cutter USRC Thomas Corwin.

On 12 March 1883, Congress appropriated $3,000 to "suitably reward the natives at and about Saint Lawrence Bay who housed, fed, and extended other kindness to the officers and men of USS Rodgers."